Belonging and ownership in Spanish

The idea

Use pertenecer a before the owner or group; the first-person form is pertenezco.

Examples

• Este abrigo pertenece a mi hermana.This coat belongs to my sister.
• La llave pertenece al vecino.The key belongs to the neighbour.
• Pertenecemos a un club de lectura.We belong to a reading club.
• Estas fotos pertenecen al museo.These photos belong to the museum.
• Ella pertenece a la asociación local.She belongs to the local association.
• Yo pertenezco al equipo de música.I belong to the music team.

Watch out

The thing owned is the subject, so the verb agrees with it, not its owner.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form: El reloj ___ a mi padre. (pertenece / pertenecen)

   Show answer or example answer

   pertenece

   pertenece agrees with one watch.

2. Choose the correct form: Las cartas ___ a la biblioteca. (pertenece / pertenecen)

   Show answer or example answer

   pertenecen

   pertenecen agrees with several letters.

3. Choose the correct form: Yo ___ a una orquesta. (pertenezco / perteneco)

   Show answer or example answer

   pertenezco

   pertenezco is the first-person singular.

Use it today

Describe an object and a group that someone belongs to.