Possession with names (Annas Auto)

English uses an apostrophe and an "s" to show possession (like "Anna's car"). German is even simpler: just add an -s directly to the name, with no apostrophe.

Possession with Names

To say "Anna's birthday" or "Peter's gift", simply attach an -s to the end of the person's name. This form is called the Saxon Genitive.

Today is Anna's birthday.
Heute ist Annas Geburtstag.
Peter's gift is gorgeous.
Peters Geschenk ist wunderschön.

The name with the -s goes directly in front of the thing being owned, just like in English. It replaces words like mein, dein, or das.

We are celebrating Mia's birthday.
Wir feiern Mias Geburtstag.
Tom's surprise is great.
Toms Überraschung ist toll.

The -s ending stays the same regardless of the item's role in the sentence.

Who is bringing Anna's cake?
Wer bringt Annas Torte?
Are you singing Peter's song? It is great.
Singst du Peters Lied? Es ist toll.

You can even use multiple names in the same sentence:

Are you bringing Mia's cake and Anna's gift?
Bringt ihr Mias Torte und Annas Geschenk?

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