mein
/maɪ̯n/masculine
The German word for "my" is mein.
Meaning: belonging to me (det)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form mein is used for masculine or neuter nouns in the nominative case. Use meine when the noun it modifies is feminine or plural. If a masculine noun is the direct object of a sentence, use meinen for the accusative case. For masculine or neuter nouns in the dative case, use meinem. For masculine or neuter nouns in the genitive case, use meines. If a feminine noun is in the dative or genitive case, use meiner.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say 'my friend' to show closeness, a German speaker might use the phrase mein Freund to specifically mean 'my boyfriend'.
- The German word mein and the English word 'my' are actually siblings, both descending from the same ancient Proto-West Germanic ancestor.
- The word mein is used in the fixed expression mein Gott, which functions as a general exclamation of shock regardless of the speaker's religious beliefs.
Examples in context
- Er ist mein Ex.He's my ex.This sentence shows how to use mein to refer to an ex.Tatoeba #8667140 by Melang, translation #8475950 by CH
- Es ist mein Job.It's my job.This sentence uses mein to refer to a job.Tatoeba #547272 by Espi, translation #433521 by CK
- Tom ist mein Ex.Tom is my ex.This sentence uses mein to refer to an ex.Tatoeba #2349791 by Espi, translation #2273303 by CK
- Mein HundMy dog
- Mein HausMy house
- Mein AutoMy car
- Meine FreundeMy friends
- Meine BücherMy books
- Meine ElternMy parents
- Dies ist mein Hund.This is my dog.
- Das ist mein Haus.That is my house.
- Das ist mein Hund.That is my dog.
- Hast du mein Auto gesehen?Have you seen my car?
- 17163 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are in a kitchen looking for a spoon.
- JulianIst das mein Löffel?Is that my spoon?
- SarahNein, das ist nicht dein Löffel.No, that is not your spoon.
- JulianWo ist dann mein Löffel?Then where is my spoon?
- SarahHier ist dein Löffel, Julian.Here is your spoon, Julian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my” translations and entries 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.
