mein
my
Mein is the German possessive pronoun meaning 'my'. It changes its ending to match the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes. It is used exactly like 'my' in English, but learners must remember to add the correct ending.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where mein was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Komm her, mein kleiner Freund.Come here, my little friend.
- Wo ist mein Schokoriegel hin?Where did my chocolate bar go?
- Mein Name ist Otaraya.My name is Otaraya.
Example sentences
- Das ist mein Haus.This is my house.
- Ich liebe meine Familie.I love my family.
- Mein Bruder wohnt in Berlin.My brother lives in Berlin.
- Wo sind meine Schlüssel?Where are my keys?
Grammar
| Type | possessive pronoun |
|---|---|
| Endings | mein, meine, meinen, meinem, meines, meiner |
| Agreement | agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, case, and number |
The base form is 'mein'. Add endings like -e, -en, -em, -es, -er depending on the noun. For example: mein Hund (masculine nominative), meine Katze (feminine nominative), mein Buch (neuter nominative), meine Freunde (plural nominative).
Common phrases
- mein Gottmy God
- meiner Meinung nachin my opinion
- mein Schatzmy darling / my treasure
The mistake English speakers make
Forgetting to add the correct ending. English speakers often say 'mein Mutter' instead of 'meine Mutter'. Remember: the ending must match the noun's gender and case.
Don’t confuse it with
- meinen — Meinen is the verb meaning 'to mean' or 'to have an opinion', while mein is the possessive pronoun 'my'.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between mein and meine?
Mein is used before masculine and neuter nouns in the nominative case, and before neuter nouns in the accusative case. Meine is used before feminine nouns and all plural nouns in the nominative and accusative cases.
How do I know which ending to use with mein?
The ending depends on the gender, case, and number of the noun. You need to know the noun's gender and the case it is in. For example, masculine nominative: mein, feminine nominative: meine, neuter nominative: mein, plural nominative: meine.
Is mein always translated as 'my'?
Yes, mein always means 'my'. It is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership by the speaker.