mon
/mɔ̃/masculine
The English word "my" is translated into French using mon, ma or mes depending on the noun it describes.
Meaning: belonging to me (det)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mon | /mɔ̃/ /mɔ̃.n‿/ |
masculine |
| ma | /ma/ | feminine |
| mes | /mɛ/ /mɛ.z‿/ |
plural |
Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the gender and number of the noun being possessed. Use mon for masculine singular nouns, ma for feminine singular nouns and mes for all plural nouns, whether they are masculine or feminine.
How does it change in a sentence?
mon is used before masculine singular nouns. It is also used before feminine singular nouns that begin with a vowel or a silent 'h'. ma is used before feminine singular nouns. mes is used before both masculine and feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ma before a feminine singular noun that begins with a vowel or a silent 'h'. Instead, use mon
Did you know?
- While English uses 'my' for everything, French forces you to pick a form based on the gender of the object being possessed, not the person who owns it.
- The masculine form mon may actually have roots in the Gaulish word mon, a language spoken in France before the Romans arrived.
- The use of mon before a vowel is a phonetic rule designed to prevent a 'glottal stop' or a harsh break between two vowel sounds.
Examples in context
- Il a mon âge.He's my age.This sentence shows the use of mon to express age.Tatoeba #899099 by sacredceltic, translation #674278 by yessoos
- Mon cher ami !My dear friend!This sentence demonstrates mon used with a noun.Tatoeba #1281367 by sacredceltic, translation #3631514 by thegui
- C'est ma vie !It's my life!This sentence shows how to use ma with a feminine singular noun.Tatoeba #3424666 by mrr, translation #3424663 by _undertoad
- C'est mon sac.It is my bag.
- Voici mon ami.This is my friend.
- Je vais chercher mon billet.I am going to get my ticket.
- C'est ma robe.It is my dress.
- Tiens, voilà ma sœur.Look, here is my sister.
- C'est mon livre.It is my book.
- Viens voir mon chien.Come see my dog.
- Regardez mes photos.Look at my photos.
- Ce sont mes amis.They are my friends.
- Voici mon hôtel.Here is my hotel.
- Regarde mon amie.Look at my friend [female].
- mon amieMy friend (female)
- 18031 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are looking for a lost item in a café.
- GabrielManon, as-tu vu mon livre ?Manon, have you seen my book?
- ManonNon, Gabriel, je ne le vois pas.No, Gabriel, I don't see it.
- GabrielC'est mon livre préféré.It is my favorite book.
- ManonRegarde sous la chaise.Look under the chair.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my” translations and entries mon, ma, mes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ma, mes, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
