7

I see them both being used to represent possession. For example:

El gato es suyo

and

El gato es tuyo.

Are these sentences the same? What is the difference between these words?

David G
  • 1,133
  • 4
  • 13
  • 22

4 Answers4

13

El gato es suyo.

Can have four meanings depending upon who you're talking to or the context:

  • The cat is yours (formal speaking, if you're using 'Usted' as the person)
  • The cat is his
  • The cat is hers
  • The cat is theirs

El gato es tuyo.

Can only mean:

  • The cat is yours
alonso.torres
  • 721
  • 4
  • 9
  • A little side question - "Sus gafas.": Is the "Sus" masculine or feminine in this sentence? – David G Jan 29 '14 at 01:06
  • 5
    Sus has no gender, it's used either for masculine and feminine stuff. Note that it's different from Suyos/Suyas where the gender is specified: Estas gafas son suyas. – alonso.torres Jan 29 '14 at 16:26
6

We use "tuyo" when we refer to the person as "tú". We use "suyo" when we refer to the person as "usted". We also use "suyo" when we refer to someone else's possessions.

brb
  • 458
  • 2
  • 3
  • 1
    So they both mean the same only one is formal and the other is informal? – David G Jan 28 '14 at 23:41
  • Yes, but also "suyo" can be uses for someone else's possessions. When we say "El gato es suyo" we can be talking about "usted" or about "él/ella", the second one as "El gato es de él/ella" – brb Jan 29 '14 at 00:07
  • So tuyo means "yours" and suyo means "his, hers, etc." – David G Jan 29 '14 at 00:10
  • 2
    "tuyo" = yours || "suyo" = yours or her-his – brb Jan 29 '14 at 00:12
2

Both tuyo and suyo are possessive adjectives.
Translating respectively, to yours and yours,his,hers,theirs

And since they are adjectives they follow the same gender rules.

They can also be used as nouns but only if the possessed object is already mentioned prior in context.

Example.. in english.

  • My vehicle is better than yours.
  • Your cat is fatter than his.
  • Your photograph is uglier than his.

Translated respectively.

  • Mi vehículo es mejor que lo suyo.
  • Tu gato es mas gordo que lo suyo.
  • Tu foto es mas fea que la suya.

I believe you can substitute the los for els

dockeryZ
  • 3,932
  • 17
  • 26
  • The correct translations would be:
    • Mi vehículo es mejor que el tuyo/suyo. (non-formal/formal)
    • Tu gato es más gordo que el suyo.
    • Tu foto es más fea que la suya.
     – alonso.torres Feb 11 '14 at 22:06
1

"tuyo" and "suyo" are both possesive adjectives. You use "tuyo" when you are speaking in 2nd person or directly to a person in front of you.

For insance :

Este coche es tuyo --------> This car is yours

You use "suyo" when you are speaking in third person or referring to a third person.

For insance :

Este coche es suyo --------> This is her car / The car is hers

Roberto
  • 11
  • 2