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Questions & Answers about Ce stylo est le tien.
What does le tien mean here?
It means yours when speaking to one person informally. It’s a possessive pronoun referring to a masculine singular thing (here, stylo).
Why is there le before tien?
French possessive pronouns are formed with the definite article: le/la/les + mien, tien, sien, nôtre, vôtre, leur. The article agrees with the thing possessed. Since stylo is masculine singular, you use le tien.
How does it change for a feminine noun?
Use la tienne. Example: Cette voiture est la tienne.
And for plurals?
- Masculine plural: les tiens (e.g., Ces livres sont les tiens.)
- Feminine plural: les tiennes (e.g., Ces chaises sont les tiennes.)
What’s the difference between le tien and ton?
- le tien is a possessive pronoun; it replaces a noun: Ce stylo est le tien.
- ton is a possessive adjective/determiner; it must precede a noun: C’est ton stylo. You cannot say C’est le tien stylo.
Can I also say Ce stylo est à toi?
Yes. Être à + stressed pronoun is a common equivalent: Ce stylo est à toi. It’s very natural in speech and avoids gender/number agreement issues.
Which version sounds most natural in everyday conversation?
People often say C’est ton stylo ? or Ce stylo est à toi ? The form Ce stylo est le tien is perfectly correct, just a bit more careful or written.
How do I say the polite/formal yours?
Use le vôtre / la vôtre / les vôtres. Example: Ce stylo est le vôtre.
How do I say his/hers with this pattern?
Use the third-person forms (they depend on the thing, not the owner): le sien, la sienne, les siens, les siennes. Example: Ce stylo est le sien = “this pen is his/hers” (context decides).
Why is it Ce stylo and not Cet stylo or Cette stylo?
- ce
- masculine noun starting with a consonant: ce stylo
- cet
- masculine noun starting with a vowel or mute h: cet avion, cet homme
- cette
- any feminine noun: cette table
- Plural for all: ces
Does le tien agree with the owner or with the thing?
With the thing. Owner’s gender doesn’t matter. For Marie: Ce livre est le tien (masc. sing.), Cette voiture est la tienne (fem. sing.).
Can I drop the noun and just say C’est le tien?
Yes. When the context is clear, you can say C’est le tien or Le tien est là.
How do I say “These pens are yours”?
Ces stylos sont les tiens. Alternatives: Ce sont tes stylos. / Ces stylos sont à toi.
How would I ask “Is this pen yours?” in different registers?
- More formal: Ce stylo est-il le tien ?
- Neutral: Ce stylo est à toi ?
- Casual: C’est ton stylo ?
Any quick pronunciation tips?
- Ce [sə]
- stylo [sti-lo]
- est [ɛ]
- le [lə]
- tien [tjɛ̃] (nasal vowel, like “tyehn” without pronouncing the final n)