A name can identify who owns something.
The idea
Put the thing first, then de and the owner: la casa de Elena. Before the article el, combine them as del.
Examples
- La bicicleta de Marta está junto a la puerta.Marta’s bicycle is beside the door.
- El perro de Luis duerme en el jardín.Luis’s dog sleeps in the garden.
- Las llaves de Ana están sobre la mesa.Ana’s keys are on the table.
- El hermano de Pablo trabaja aquí.Pablo’s brother works here.
- La mochila de Sofía es azul.Sofía’s backpack is blue.
- El libro del profesor está en la biblioteca.The teacher’s book is in the library.
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Watch out
Do not put the owner first as in English, or write de el before an ordinary noun.
Try it yourself
Complete: La casa ___ Elena es grande. (de / del)
Show answer or example answer
de
de links the house to Elena.
Complete: El gato ___ vecino come. (de el / del)
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del
del combines the preposition and the article before vecino.
Complete: Los zapatos ___ Laura son nuevos. (de / del)
Show answer or example answer
de
de introduces Laura; the plural shoes do not change it.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Complete: La casa ___ Elena es grande. (de / del)
Complete: El gato ___ vecino come. (de el / del)
Complete: Los zapatos ___ Laura son nuevos. (de / del)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an object belonging to someone you know.