Before the thing
Dit is mijn fiets.
This is my bike.
CHAPTER 4
Lesson 32 · Ownership
Learn to say who something belongs to: my bike and the bike is mine. First read the examples, then listen and practise.
01Two ways to say who owns something
After the thing
Deze fiets is van mij.
This bike is mine.
Both sentences tell you the same thing: the bike belongs to me.
Put mijn before the thing you own. Put van mij after is. The same pattern works with the other people below.
02Choose the right person
| Who? | Before the thing | With van |
|---|---|---|
| ikI | mijn fiets | van mij |
| jijyou · one person | jouw fiets | van jou |
| uyou · polite | uw fiets | van u |
| hijhe | zijn fiets | van hem |
| zijshe | haar fiets | van haar |
| wijwe | onze fiets | van ons |
| jullieyou · several people | jullie fiets | van jullie |
| zijthey | hun fiets | van hen |
English uses “your” for all three forms. Dutch distinguishes jouw (one person), uw (polite) and jullie (several people).
In zijn fiets, zijn means his. Here it is not the verb “to be”.
03Our: ons or onze?
Only the word for our changes with the kind of noun in this pattern.
ons
Use it before one het word.
het huis → ons huis
het boek → ons boek
onze
Use it before one de word and before all plurals.
de fiets → onze fiets
de boeken → onze boeken
de huizen → onze huizen
After van, always use ons: Dit huis is van ons. / Deze fietsen zijn van ons.
04Listen and repeat
Listen to both sentences. Then say each sentence aloud. The ownership pattern changes; the meaning stays the same.
A book
Dit is mijn boek.
This is my book.Dit boek is van mij.
This book is mine.A house
Dit is ons huis.
This is our house.Dit huis is van ons.
This house is ours.A car
Dit is haar auto.
This is her car.Deze auto is van haar.
This car is hers.A bike
Dit is jouw fiets.
This is your bike.Deze fiets is van jou.
This bike is yours.Dit is … introduces the thing. When you put “this” directly before its name, use dit with a singular het word (dit boek) and deze with a singular de word (deze fiets).
Watch the original pronunciation video
The video also uses die fiets (“that bike”). The ownership pattern is the same.
05Your turn
Answer before opening the answer. Say the Dutch sentence aloud or write it down. Then check. If you need help, return to the table or replay an example.
Say in Dutch: This is my book.
Show answer
Dit is mijn boek.
Now say: This book is mine.
Show answer
Dit boek is van mij.
Complete: Deze fiets is van jou. Dit is ___ fiets.
Show answer
Dit is jouw fiets.
Speak politely: Is this your car?
Show answer
Is dit uw auto?
You are speaking to several people: Is this your house?
Show answer
Is dit jullie huis?
Choose ons or onze: ___ boek; ___ boeken; ___ fiets.
Show answer
ons boek; onze boeken; onze fiets
Complete: Dit is zijn boek. Dit boek is van ___.
Show answer
Dit boek is van hem.
Complete: Dit is hun huis. Dit huis is van ___.
Show answer
Dit huis is van hen.
Try it with your own things
Choose a book, bag or phone. Make two sentences: Dit is mijn … and … is van mij.