Grammar Lesson 10:
Possessive Adjectives + Family Members: Rule and Exceptions
Possessive Adjectives + Family Members: Rule and Exceptions
As we have previously seen, possessive adjectives in Italian are usually preceded by the definite article. But not always.
When they refer to nouns indicating family members in the singular the article is dropped.
| CORRECT | WRONG | MEANING |
|
Mia figlia suona la chitarra |
La mia figlia suona la chitarra |
My daughter plays the guitar |
Examples:
• Mia cugina fa l'insegnante / My cousin (female) is a teacher
• Chiedilo a tuo padre! / Ask your father about that!
• Si vede che ama molto suo marito / You can tell that she's really in love with her husband
EXCEPTIONS
In certain cases, even when the possessive adjective precedes a noun expressing kinship, the article stays. For example:
|
With mamma (mum) and dad (papà) |
• La mia mamma mi vuole tanto bene / My mum loves me so much • Il tuo papà è simpatico / Your dad is funny |
|
When you talk about your family members in the plural |
• I vostri padri vi hanno insegnato tante cose / Your fathers taught you many things • Le mie sorelle non sanno ballare / My sisters don't know how to dance |
|
Always with the possessive adjective loro (both in the singular and plural forms) |
• La loro madre è partita per Venezia / Their mother has left for Venice • I loro nonni si sono trasferiti in Austria / Their grandparents have moved to Austria |
|
When the possessive adjective is followed by another adjective |
• Il tuo celebre zio ha pubblicato un nuovo romanzo / Your famous uncle has published a new novel • La nostra cara nonna ci ha cucinato una torta / Our beloved grandmother has baked us a cake |
|
When the noun indicating the family members is an altered noun |
• Non vedo la mia zietta da un po' / It's been a while since I last saw my auntie • Non vai d'accordo con il tuo patrigno / You don't get along well with your stepfather |
|
When there is a sentimental relationship but not an established familial tie |
• Lascia che ti presenti la mia ragazza / Let me introduce you my girlfriend • Il suo fidanzato si comporta in maniera molto strana / Her fiancé acts quite weirdly |
|
For emphasis (and in that case the possessive adjective comes after the noun) |
• Il figlio tuo / Your son • Il nonno tuo / Your grandfather |
|
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