tuyo
/TOO-yoh/
yours
The child hands over the ball, saying, 'The ball is mío, no, es tuyo (yours).'
📝 In Action
Este lápiz no es mío, es tuyo.
A1This pencil isn't mine, it's yours.
¿De quién es esta mochila? ¿Es tuya?
A2Whose backpack is this? Is it yours?
Lo mío es tuyo, amigo.
B1What's mine is yours, friend.
💡 Grammar Points
Stands Alone to Mean 'Yours'
Use 'tuyo' to replace a noun you've already mentioned. Instead of saying 'Es tu libro' (It's your book), you can just say 'Es tuyo' (It's yours).
Matches the *Thing*, Not the Person
The ending of 'tuyo' changes to match the gender and number of the item that is owned, not the person who owns it. For example: el libro es tuyo (the book is yours), la casa es tuya (the house is yours), los zapatos son tuyos (the shoes are yours).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up `tuyo` and `tu`
Mistake: "El coche es tu."
Correction: The correct way is 'El coche es tuyo.' Use 'tu' *before* a noun ('tu coche'), and 'tuyo' when it stands alone after a verb like 'ser'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Answering 'Whose is it?'
This is the perfect word to answer the question '¿De quién es esto?' (Whose is this?). You can simply reply, 'Es tuyo' (It's yours).
The narrator points to their companion, introducing them as 'un amigo tuyo' (a friend of yours).
📝 In Action
Un amigo tuyo me llamó ayer.
A2A friend of yours called me yesterday.
Vi una foto tuya en el periódico.
B1I saw a photo of yours in the newspaper.
No es culpa tuya, no te preocupes.
B1It's not your fault, don't worry.
💡 Grammar Points
A Different Way to Say 'Your'
This form always comes after the thing you're talking about. It has a similar meaning to 'tu', but with a slightly different flavor, much like 'your friend' vs. 'a friend of yours' in English.
Use with 'un', 'una', 'algún'
You can't say 'un tu amigo'. When you use words like 'a' ('un'/'una') or 'some' ('algún'), you must put the possessive word after the noun: 'un amigo tuyo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Putting it in the Wrong Place
Mistake: "Vi tuya foto en el periódico."
Correction: The correct way is 'Vi una foto tuya...' or 'Vi tu foto...'. When used this way, 'tuyo' and its forms ('tuya', etc.) always go *after* the noun.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tuyo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'It's your book'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'tuyo' and 'tu'?
'Tu' is the simple version of 'your' that always goes *before* a noun (e.g., 'tu casa' - your house). 'Tuyo' is the version that means 'yours' and usually stands alone after a verb (e.g., 'la casa es tuya' - the house is yours).
Why are there so many forms: tuyo, tuya, tuyos, tuyas?
In Spanish, words that describe things often need to 'agree' or match with the thing they are describing. The ending of 'tuyo' changes to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the item that is owned. For example, 'el coche es tuyo' (one masculine car) but 'las llaves son tuyas' (multiple feminine keys).
When would I use 'tuyo' instead of 'suyo'?
Use 'tuyo' when you're talking to someone you would call 'tú' (informal 'you', like a friend or family member). Use 'suyo' when talking to someone you'd call 'usted' (formal 'you'), or when talking about what belongs to him, her, or them.