posee
poh-SEH-eh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
El museo posee una colección de arte muy antigua.
B1The museum possesses a very old art collection.
Ella posee una gran habilidad para la música.
B2She possesses a great ability for music.
Usted posee los documentos necesarios para el trámite.
B1You (formal) have the necessary documents for the procedure.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Ownership
While 'tener' is used for general possession (I have a car), 'poseer' is often used in official contexts to emphasize legal ownership, especially of assets or characteristics.
The 'He/She/It/You Formal' Slot
'Posee' is the form used when the owner is a singular person (he/she/it) or when you are addressing one person formally (usted).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Poseer' Too Casually
Mistake: "Poseo tres perros. (I possess three dogs.)"
Correction: Tengo tres perros. ('Poseer' sounds overly formal for everyday things like pets.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Writing vs. Speaking
Use 'posee' when writing reports, news articles, or official documents; use 'tiene' when speaking casually with friends.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: posee
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'posee' most appropriately?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'posee' and 'tiene'?
Both mean 'he/she/it has/possesses.' 'Tiene' (from 'tener') is the everyday, casual word used for everything. 'Posee' (from 'poseer') is more formal, often used in written language, legal documents, or when emphasizing a quality or characteristic.
Is 'posee' regular or irregular?
'Poseer' is a regular verb in the present tense (like 'posee'). However, it has some minor spelling changes in other tenses (like the preterite 'poseyó') to maintain the correct sound, making it sometimes classified as a slightly irregular verb.