Stems

mein-, dein-, sein-, ihr-, unser-, euer-, ihr-/Ihr-

Before a noun

Endings follow the ein/eine pattern (mixed declension):

• mein Bruder, meine Schwester, mein Auto
• mit meinem Freund (dative m)

Standing alone

Often with -er / -e / -es like an article would be: Das ist meiner.

ihr vs Ihr

ihr = her/their; Ihr = your (formal plural Sie).

Practical Examples

1. Mein Buch ist neu.

• My book is new.
• Usage note: "Mein" is used because "Buch" (book) is neuter singular and in the nominative case.

1. Ist das dein Handy?

• Is that your phone?
• Usage note: "Dein" is used because "Handy" (phone) is neuter singular and in the nominative case.

1. Das ist ihre Katze.

• That is her cat.
• Usage note: "Ihre" (her) is used because "Katze" (cat) is feminine singular and in the nominative case.

1. Wir besuchen unsere Freunde.

• We are visiting our friends.
• Usage note: "Unsere" (our) is used because "Freunde" (friends) is plural and in the accusative case (we are visiting whom?).

1. Er mag seinen Job.

• He likes his job.
• Usage note: "Seinen" (his) is used because "Job" (job) is masculine singular and in the accusative case (he likes what?).

1. Sie sucht ihre Schlüssel.

• She is looking for her keys.
• Usage note: "Ihre" (her) is used because "Schlüssel" (keys) is plural and in the accusative case (she is looking for what?).

1. Das ist nicht euer Auto.

• That is not your (plural 'you') car.
• Usage note: "Euer" (your, for a group) is used because "Auto" (car) is neuter singular and in the nominative case.

1. Ich sehe eure Eltern.

• I see your (plural 'you') parents.
• Usage note: "Eure" (your, for a group) is used because "Eltern" (parents) is plural and in the accusative case (I see whom?).

1. Wie geht es Ihrer Familie?

• How is your (formal 'you') family?
• Usage note: "Ihrer" (your, formal) is used because "Familie" (family) is feminine singular and in the dative case (it goes to whom?). Note the capital 'I' for formal address.

1. Ich spreche mit meinem Bruder.

• I am speaking with my brother.
• Usage note: "Meinem" (my) is used because "Bruder" (brother) is masculine singular and in the dative case (after "mit" - with whom?).

1. Sie fährt mit ihrem Fahrrad.

• She is riding her bike.
• Usage note: "Ihrem" (her) is used because "Fahrrad" (bike) is neuter singular and in the dative case (after "mit" - with what?).

1. Habt ihr eure Hausaufgaben gemacht?

• Have you (plural 'you') done your homework?
• Usage note: "Eure" (your, for a group) is used because "Hausaufgaben" (homework) is plural and in the accusative case (done what?).

1. Das ist unser Haus.

• That is our house.
• Usage note: "Unser" (our) is used because "Haus" (house) is neuter singular and in the nominative case.

1. Er gibt seiner Schwester ein Geschenk.

• He gives his sister a gift.
• Usage note: "Seiner" (his) is used because "Schwester" (sister) is feminine singular and in the dative case (gives to whom?).

1. Sie haben ihre Tickets vergessen.

• They forgot their tickets.
• Usage note: "Ihre" (their) is used because "Tickets" (tickets) is plural and in the accusative case (forgot what?).