Possessive Pronouns

This is the perfect follow-up to reflexive verbs, because possessive pronouns follow a very similar logic, especially when it comes to the "subject vs. object" rule.

Here is an in-depth summary of how to say "mine," "yours," "his," and "theirs" in Norwegian.

1. The Golden Rule: Agreement

In English, "my" is always "my" (my car, my house, my friends).

In Norwegian, the possessive word must match the gender and number of the thing being owned, not just the owner.

  • If you own a masculine noun (en bil), use min.

  • If you own a neuter noun (et hus), use mitt.

  • If you own plural nouns (bøker), use mine.

2. The Master Chart

Here are the forms you need to memorize.

Owner (Subject)

Masculine (en)

Feminine (ei/en)

Neuter (et)

Plural (flere)

Jeg (I)

min

mi

mitt

mine

Du (You)

din

di

ditt

dine

Han (He)*

sin (or hans)

si (or hans)

sitt (or hans)

sine (or hans)

Hun (She)*

sin (or hennes)

si (or hennes)

sitt (or hennes)

sine (or hennes)

Vi (We)

vår

vår

vårt

våre

Dere (You all)

deres

deres

deres

deres

De (They)*

sin (or deres)

si (or deres)

sitt (or deres)

sine (or deres)

> Note: "Deres" (for 'dere' and 'de') and "hans/hennes" never change form based on the object. They are static.

3. Word Order: Where do you put it?

There are two ways to use possessives in Norwegian. This often confuses beginners.

Method A: The Natural Way (After the Noun)

Rule: Noun (Definite) + Possessive

This is used in 90% of spoken Norwegian and everyday writing. It sounds the most natural.

  • Bilen min (Literally: "The car mine")

  • Huset mitt (Literally: "The house mine")

  • Vennene mine (Literally: "The friends mine")

Method B: The Emphatic/Formal Way (Before the Noun)

Rule: Possessive + Noun (Indefinite)

This is used to emphasize ownership (THAT is MY car) or in formal writing/titles.

  • Min bil (MY car)

  • Mitt hus (MY house)

  • Mine venner (MY friends)

Tip: If you are unsure, use Method A (Bilen min). It is almost always correct in conversation.

4. The "Sin/Si/Sitt/Sine" Rule (Reflexive Possessive)

This is the most critical part of Norwegian grammar regarding ownership.

When the owner is Han, Hun, or De, you have to ask: Is the owner also the subject of the sentence?

Scenario A: The Subject Owns the Object (Use Sin)

If he likes his own car, you use the reflexive forms (sin, si, sitt, sine).

  • Subject: Han

  • Object: Bilen (his own)

  • Sentence: "Han liker bilen sin."

Scenario B: Someone Else Owns the Object (Use Hans/Hennes)

If he likes another guy's car, you use the regular forms (hans, hennes, deres).

  • Subject: Han (Per)

  • Object: Bilen (belonging to Lars)

  • Sentence: "Han liker bilen hans."

The Classic Example:

  1. "Han kysser kona si." -> He is kissing his (own) wife. (All good!)

  2. "Han kysser kona hans." -> He is kissing his (someone else's) wife. (Drama!)

5. Summary of "Vår" (Our)

"Vår" is slightly irregular because the "r" moves or disappears.

  • Masculine/Feminine: Vår (vår bil)

  • Neuter: Vårt (vårt hus) - The 't' is silent! Pronounced "vort".

  • Plural: Våre (våre biler)

Quick Quiz for Yourself

To describe "My big house" (using the triple overkill rule + possessive), you can do it two ways:

  1. Mitt store hus (Possessive first = Indefinite noun)

  2. Det store huset mitt (Possessive last = Definite noun)