How do you express possession without using s?

Understanding Possession in Norwegian

Possession in Norwegian is typically expressed without using an apostrophe or ’s. Instead, Norwegian employs two main structures: the use of possessive pronouns and the use of the preposition til (which means “to” or “of”). Each structure is used in different contexts, and knowing when to use which is crucial for clear communication.

1. Possessive Pronouns

Norwegian, like many other languages, uses possessive pronouns to show ownership. These pronouns change according to the gender and number of the noun they modify. Here’s a quick overview:

• min/mitt/mine – my, mine
• din/ditt/dine – your, yours (singular)
• hans – his
• hennes – her, hers
• vår/vårt/våre – our, ours
• deres – their, theirs or your (plural/formal)

The possessive pronoun agrees in gender and number with the noun. For example:

• min bok – my book (bok is feminine/masculine)
• mitt hus – my house (hus is neuter)
• mine bøker – my books (bøker is plural)

2. The “Noun + Possessive” Structure

In Norwegian, the possessive pronoun can also come after the noun, especially in written language or when emphasizing ownership. For example:

• boken min – my book
• huset vårt – our house
• vennene deres – their friends

This structure is very common in spoken Norwegian and is a natural way to express possession without using ’s.

3. Using “til” for Possession

Another way to express possession, especially when talking about relationships or when the possessor is a proper noun, is by using the preposition til. This structure is similar to saying “the book of John” in English. For example:

• boken til Maria – Maria’s book (literally, “the book of Maria”)
• huset til familien Hansen – the house of the Hansen family

This form is particularly useful when you want to avoid ambiguity or when the possessor is more complex than just a pronoun. It is also the preferred structure when referring to people by name, as Norwegian does not use an apostrophe + s construction.

4. Using Context and Word Order

Sometimes, possession can be understood from context or through specific word order, especially in set phrases or compound words. For example:

• skolebuss – school bus (the bus belonging to the school)
• barneseng – child’s bed (bed for a child)

In these cases, Norwegian forms compound nouns where the first part of the word indicates the possessor or the purpose.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

English speakers are often tempted to translate directly and use an apostrophe + s in Norwegian, but this is not correct. Remember:

• Never add ’s to a name in Norwegian. Use til instead.
• Choose the correct possessive pronoun that matches the gender and number of the noun.
• Be mindful of word order. While both “min bok” and “boken min” are correct, they can carry slightly different nuances.

Practical Examples

Let’s look at some real-life examples to illustrate these rules:

• My friend’s car – bilen til vennen min / vennen min sin bil
• Anna’s house – huset til Anna
• Their children’s toys – barna deres sine leker / lekene til barna deres

Notice how Norwegian often prefers the “til” structure or places the possessive pronoun after the noun for clarity and naturalness.

Tips for Mastering Possession in Norwegian

• Practice using both the “noun + possessive” and “possessive + noun” structures in sentences.
• Listen to native speakers or use language learning apps like Talkpal to get a feel for what sounds natural.
• When in doubt, use the til construction, especially with names or complex possessors.
• Pay attention to compound words as they often indicate possession or association.

Conclusion

Expressing possession in Norwegian is straightforward once you become familiar with the correct structures. Remember to use possessive pronouns, the “til” construction, and compound nouns as appropriate. By practicing these forms and learning from natural examples, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and communicate more clearly. For more tips and interactive Norwegian learning resources, check out Talkpal’s AI language learning blog and accelerate your progress on your Norwegian language journey.