mein
/maɪ̯n/
In German, the phrase 'mine' is expressed as mein.
mein is used to indicate that something belongs to the speaker. While English distinguishes between the possessive adjective 'my' and the possessive pronoun 'mine', German often uses the forms of mein to function as both.
Meaning: that which belongs to me (pron)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'my' and 'mine' are distinct words, but in German, the word mein (and its various endings) performs both functions depending on the sentence structure.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of mein must change its ending to match the gender, number and grammatical case of the noun it precedes. Common endings include mein, meine, meinen and meines.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- The phrase Mein Name ist is a literal translation of 'My name is', but Germans also frequently use the verb heißen to say 'I am called'.
- German speakers use the word meins as a shorthand pronoun for 'mine' in casual speech, often omitting the noun entirely.
- The German word mein is a direct cognate of the English 'mine', sharing the same Proto-West Germanic ancestor.
Examples in context
- Das ist mein Hut.This hat is mine.This sentence shows how to use mein to identify a hat.Tatoeba #2197521 by Vortarulo, translation #57121 by CK
- Das ist meine Uhr.This clock is mine.This sentence demonstrates the use of mein with a clock.Tatoeba #2051002 by Tamy, translation #1768523 by CK
- Ist das mein Glas?Is this glass mine?This sentence is an example of using mein to ask if a glass belongs to the speaker.Tatoeba #3064999 by al_ex_an_der, translation #11949043 by sundown
- Das ist mein Buch.This is my book.
- Ich habe meine eigene Meinung.I have my own opinion.
- Dieses Haus ist meines.This house is mine.
- Das ist mein Auto, aber das dort ist meines.This is my car, but that one over there is mine.
- Kannst du mir deine Nummer geben? Hier ist meine.Can you give me your number? Here is mine.
- Dieses Zuhause ist meins.This home is mine.
- Ist das meins oder deins?Is this mine or yours?
- 545 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are looking for their bags at the airport.
- FelixIst das dein Koffer oder mein Koffer?Is that your suitcase or my suitcase?
- LauraDas ist mein Koffer, Felix.That is my suitcase, Felix.
- FelixUnd wo ist mein blaues Gepäck?And where is my blue luggage?
- LauraDa drüben steht mein kleiner Rucksack.My small backpack is over there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
