How Do You Say Their In Spanish

When learning Spanish, one of the first questions that arises is how do you say their in Spanish. This seemingly simple query opens the door to understanding possessive adjectives, agreement rules, and the nuances that make Spanish both logical and expressive. Below you’ll find a thorough explanation that covers the forms, usage, common pitfalls, and practical tips to help you master this essential part of the language.

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Introduction to Possessive Adjectives in Spanish

In English, the word their functions as a possessive adjective that shows ownership or association with a plural subject (e.Even so, , their book, their ideas). Plus, g. Spanish handles possession differently because possessive adjectives must agree in number (singular/plural) with the noun they modify, and sometimes they also reflect the formality of the owner. The Spanish equivalents of their are su and sus, and choosing between them depends on whether the possessed noun is singular or plural Which is the point..

The Two Forms: su and sus

• su is used when the thing being owned is singular (one item).
• sus is used when the thing being owned is plural (more than one item).

Both su and sus can also mean his, her, your (formal), or their, depending on context. The listener determines the correct meaning from the surrounding sentence or from prior knowledge of who the subject is Most people skip this — try not to. Turns out it matters..

When to Use su vs. sus

1. Singular Possessed Noun → su

• Their house → su casa (casa is singular)
• Their car → su coche
• Their idea → su idea

2. Plural Possessed Noun → sus

• Their houses → sus casas
• Their cars → sus coches
• Their ideas → sus ideas

Notice that the adjective does not change for gender; it stays su or sus regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine. Only the number of the possessed noun matters The details matter here..

Gender and Number Agreement: A Quick Reminder

While many Spanish adjectives change form to match gender (e.That said, g. , blanco → blanca), possessive adjectives are an exception.

• su → singular possessed noun
• sus → plural possessed noun

The gender of the noun does not affect the form of the possessive adjective. This simplifies learning but requires you to pay attention to whether the noun you are describing is singular or plural It's one of those things that adds up. Turns out it matters..

Practical Examples in Sentences

Seeing the words in context helps solidify the rule. Below are several sentences with English translations. Notice how su and sus stay the same while the noun changes That's the part that actually makes a difference..

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Using the wrong number

   • Incorrect: sus libro (trying to say “their book” but using plural form).
   • Correct: su libro.
   • Tip: Ask yourself, “Is the thing owned one item or more than one?”

2. Confusing su with suyo/suyos (possessive pronouns)

   • su = possessive adjective (needs a noun after it).
   • suyo = possessive pronoun (stands alone, replaces the noun).
   • Example: Ese libro es suyo = That book is theirs.

3. Over‑thinking gender

   • Remember: su and sus never change for masculine/feminine.
   • If you find yourself trying to make su become sa or sus become sas, stop—those forms do not exist in standard Spanish.

4. Assuming formality changes the word

   • In formal address, le or les can appear with verbs (e.g., Les gusta), but the possessive adjective stays su/sus for usted (formal you) and ustedes (formal you plural).
   • Example: ¿Cuál es su dirección? (What is your address? – formal)

Tips for Remembering su vs. sus

• Mnemonic: Think of the s in sus as standing for plural (more than one s). No s = singular.
• Visual cue: When you see a noun ending in -s or -es, it’s likely plural, so reach for sus.
• Practice with pairs: Create flashcards with singular/plural noun pairs (casa/casas, coche/coches, idea/ideas) and practice placing su or sus in front.
• Listen and repeat: Listen to native speakers in podcasts or videos and note how they use su and sus. Mimic the rhythm.

Short Practice Exercises

Try filling in the blank with the correct form of their (su or sus). Answers are provided after the exercise But it adds up..

1. ______ (their) perro es muy amistoso.

2. ______ (their) perros ladran mucho.

3. ______ (their) madre es doctora Easy to understand, harder to ignore..

4. ______ (their) madres son profesoras And that's really what it comes down to..

5. ______ (their) examen fue difícil.

6. ______ (their) exámenes fueron fáciles

7. ______ (their) coche está en la calle Easy to understand, harder to ignore..

8. ______ (their) coches son nuevos.

9. ______ (their) casa es grande Which is the point..

10. ______ (their) casas están cerca del parque Most people skip this — try not to..

11. ______ (their) hija estudia medicina.

12. ______ (their) hijas trabajan en un hospital.

Answers

1. Su perro es muy amistoso.
2. Sus perros ladran mucho.
3. Su madre es doctora.
4. Sus madres son profesoras.
5. Su examen fue difícil.
6. Sus exámenes fueron fáciles.
7. Su coche está en la calle.
8. Sus coches son nuevos.
9. Su casa es grande.
10. Sus casas están cerca del parque.
11. Su hija estudia medicina.
12. Sus hijas trabajan en un hospital.

More Practice: Translate the Sentences

Choose su or sus in each sentence.

1. Their dog is black.
2. Their dogs are black.
3. Their teacher is from Mexico.
4. Their teachers are from Mexico.
5. Their apartment is small.
6. Their apartments are small.

Answers

1. Su perro es negro.
2. Sus perros son negros.
3. Su maestro/es profesor es de México.
4. Sus maestros son de México.
5. Su apartamento es pequeño.
6. Sus apartamentos son pequeños.

Quick Reminder

Use su when the possessed noun is singular:

• su libro = his/her/your/their book
• su casa = his/her/your/their house
• su idea = his/her/your/their idea

Use sus when the possessed noun is plural:

• sus libros = his/her/your/their books
• sus casas = his/her/your/their houses
• sus ideas = his/her/your/their ideas

The key is to look at the noun that follows su or sus, not at the person who owns it.

Conclusion

Su and sus are simple but important Spanish possessive adjectives. They can mean his, her, your, or their, so context often tells you who owns the noun. The only form you need to choose between is number: use su for singular nouns and sus for plural nouns. Once you focus on whether the owned thing is one item or multiple items, using su and sus becomes much easier Easy to understand, harder to ignore..