su
“su” means “his” in Spanish (belonging to a male).
📝 In Action
Es su coche.
A1It's his car. / It's her car. / It's their car.
María busca su llave.
A1María is looking for her key.
Señor, ¿es su maleta?
A1Sir, is this your suitcase?
Son sus libros.
A1They are their books. / They are his books.
La casa tiene su propio jardín.
A2The house has its own garden.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: su
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct for 'They are her shoes'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'suus,' which meant 'his own,' 'her own,' or 'its own.' It has been a core part of Spanish for centuries.
First recorded: Before 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'su' means 'his', 'her', 'their', or 'your'?
You have to rely on context! The sentence or conversation around 'su' will tell you who the owner is. If it's still unclear, a native speaker might add 'de él' (of him), 'de ella' (of her), or 'de ellos' (of them) after the noun to be more specific, like 'Es la casa de ella' (It's her house).
What's the difference between 'su' and 'suyo'?
'Su' always comes before the noun (e.g., 'su casa'). 'Suyo' usually comes after the noun or stands alone (e.g., 'la casa suya' or 'el coche es suyo'). Think of 'su' as 'his/her' and 'suyo' as 'of his/hers'.
When do I use 'su' vs. 'tu' for 'your'?
It depends on who you're talking to. Use 'tu' (informal) with friends, family, and people your age. Use 'su' (formal) with strangers, older people, or in professional settings when you would use 'usted'.