StudyNorwegian•Ko-fiGrammar / Your Norwegian journey
B1Nouns, adjectives and pronouns

Reflexive possession: sin and hans

Identify the owner rather than relying only on translation.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Reflexive possession: sin and hans

In simple clauses, sin, si, sitt and sine refer to a third-person subject. Han leser boka si means his own book; Han leser boka hans means another man’s book. The form agrees with the owned noun.

The rule, step by step

  1. In a simple clause with a third-person subject, sin refers back to that subject; hans or hennes can indicate someone else.
  2. Sin, si, sitt and sine agree with the noun: bilen sin, huset sitt, bøkene sine.
  3. Do not use this reflexive possessive in the subject of an independent clause such as Bilen hans er ny. With jeg, use min, not sin.

Sentence pattern

sin bil · si bok · sitt hus · sine bøker

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
Hun leser boka si.Her own book
Hun leser boka hennes.Another woman’s book
Huset hans er nytt.Possessive within the subject
Han maler huset sitt.Neuter referring to the subject

Everyday examples

Example 1

Sara finner nøkkelen sin.

Sara finds her own key.

Example 2

Sara finner nøkkelen hennes.

Sara finds another woman’s key.

Example 3

De henter barna sine.

They pick up their own children.

Example 4

Han leter etter brillene sine.

He is looking for his own glasses.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Han vasker bilen sitt.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Han vasker bilen sin.

Bilen is masculine. The form referring to han and agreeing with bilen is sin, not sitt.

Put the rule into practice

0/3

Personal review progress on this device. It does not complete a reading lesson or award XP.

VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: sin

Sara finner nøkkelen _____.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Sara”: Sara finds her own key.

…

Continue with the same subject

Indefinite articles A1Comparisons A2Definite nouns A1Adjective agreement A1

Explore your Norwegian learning path

All textsA1A2B1B2C1GrammarSpeaking practice