mío
/mee-oh/
Just like pointing to something and saying 'mine!', 'mío' claims ownership of an item without repeating its name.
mío (Pronoun)
📝 In Action
Este bolígrafo no es tuyo, es mío.
A1This pen isn't yours, it's mine.
¿De quién es esta chaqueta? Es mía.
A1Whose jacket is this? It's mine.
Sus ideas son buenas, pero las mías son mejores.
A2Her ideas are good, but mine are better.
💡 Grammar Points
Stands Alone to Mean 'Mine'
Use 'mío' to replace a noun you've already talked about. Instead of saying 'El coche es mi coche' (The car is my car), you just say 'El coche es mío' (The car is mine).
Changes to Match What You Own
This word changes to match the gender and number of the thing you're claiming. Use 'mío' for one masculine thing, 'mía' for one feminine thing, 'míos' for multiple masculine things, and 'mías' for multiple feminine things.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'mi' Instead of 'mío'
Mistake: "El libro es mi."
Correction: El libro es mío. 'Mi' always goes *before* a noun (mi libro). 'Mío' is used *after* a verb like 'ser' (to be) or on its own to mean 'mine'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Your 'Thing'
You can use 'lo mío' to talk about your speciality, talent, or what belongs to you in a general sense. For example, 'Lo mío es la música' means 'Music is my thing'.
When you say 'un amigo mío,' it's like saying 'a friend of mine.' The word 'mío' comes after the person or thing.
mío (Adjective)
📝 In Action
Un amigo mío vive en Barcelona.
A2A friend of mine lives in Barcelona.
¡Dios mío! ¡Qué susto!
A2My God! What a scare!
Ven aquí, amor mío.
B1Come here, my love.
💡 Grammar Points
Goes *After* the Thing You're Talking About
Unlike 'mi' (which goes before), 'mío' is placed after the noun it describes. This is very common when you say 'a...' or 'one...' of your things, like 'un libro mío' (a book of mine).
A More Personal or Emphatic Touch
Placing 'mío' after the noun can sound more personal or add emphasis. It's often used when speaking to someone directly, like 'hijo mío' (my son) or 'amiga mía' (my friend).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Putting 'mío' Before the Noun
Mistake: "Un mío amigo me llamó."
Correction: Un amigo mío me llamó. If you use 'un' or 'una' (a/an), the possessive word ('mío', 'tuyo', etc.) must come after the noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Everyday Exclamations
This form is extremely common in exclamations. You'll hear '¡Dios mío!' (My God!) and '¡Madre mía!' (Goodness me! / Oh my!) all the time in conversations.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mío
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'This is my house'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'mi' and 'mío'?
Think of it this way: 'mi' is short and always goes *before* the thing you own ('mi coche' - my car). 'Mío' is longer and goes *after* ('un amigo mío' - a friend of mine) or stands completely on its own to mean 'mine' ('el coche es mío' - the car is mine).
Why does it sometimes change to 'mía', 'míos', or 'mías'?
In Spanish, words that show ownership have to match the thing that is owned, not the owner. So you use 'mío' for a single masculine thing (el libro es mío), 'mía' for a single feminine thing (la casa es mía), 'míos' for multiple masculine things (los libros son míos), and 'mías' for multiple feminine things (las casas son mías).
When would I say 'amigo mío' instead of 'mi amigo'?
'Mi amigo' just means 'my friend'. 'Amigo mío' can feel a bit more affectionate or personal, like when you're addressing them directly ('¡Hola, amigo mío!'). It's also the required structure when you say 'a friend of mine' ('un amigo mío').