B1 Dutch GrammarGenitive Case
Learn to express possession in Dutch using the genitive constructions: van + noun, the possessive -s, and the formal genitive. Master when to use each form for natural Dutch expression.
1Possession with Van
The most common way to express possession in Dutch is using 'van' (of). This construction places the possessor after 'van' following the possessed item. It's equivalent to English 'of' or the possessive 's but is more versatile in Dutch.
Van Construction
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| possessed + van + possessor | het huis van Jan | Jan's house |
| with article | de auto van mijn vader | my father's car |
| with pronoun | de vrienden van hem | his friends |
| nested | de deur van het huis van Jan | the door of Jan's house |
Examples
Dit is het boek van Maria.
This is Maria's book.
'van Maria' expresses possession
De kinderen van onze buren zijn aardig.
Our neighbors' children are nice.
'van onze buren' = of our neighbors
Het dak van het huis lekt.
The roof of the house is leaking.
'van het huis' = of the house
Ik hou van de kleur van deze jurk.
I love the color of this dress.
second 'van' = possession, first = love
2Possessive -s with Names
For personal names, Dutch often uses a possessive -s without an apostrophe, similar to English. This is common in informal speech and writing. Names ending in s, x, or z take an apostrophe without another s.
Possessive -s Rules
| Name | Possessive | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Jans | Jans auto |
| Maria | Maria's | Maria's huis |
| Thomas | Thomas' | Thomas' fiets |
| Max | Max' | Max' boek |
Examples
Ik ga naar Peeters huis.
I'm going to Peter's house.
Peeters = possessive -s without apostrophe
Anna's verjaardag is morgen.
Anna's birthday is tomorrow.
apostrophe for readability (vowel ending)
Dat is Klaas' auto.
That's Klaas's car.
names ending in s: apostrophe only
We gaan naar oma's huis.
We're going to grandma's house.
'oma' treated like a name
3Formal Genitive Expressions
Dutch retains some formal genitive expressions, especially in fixed phrases and formal writing. These use old genitive endings like -s for masculine/neuter and -er for feminine. Many of these are now frozen expressions.
Formal Genitive Forms
| Expression | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 's morgens | in the morning | time expression |
| 's nachts | at night | time expression |
| ter wereld | in the world | formal |
| desnoods | if necessary | compound |
Examples
Ik drink 's ochtends koffie.
I drink coffee in the morning.
's = des (genitive article)
Zij is de mooiste ter wereld.
She is the most beautiful in the world.
'ter' = te der (to the, old feminine)
Ten eerste moet je luisteren.
First of all, you must listen.
'ten' = te den (old genitive)
Desnoods kom ik zelf.
If necessary, I'll come myself.
'des noods' = of the need
4Possessive Pronouns as Genitives
Possessive pronouns can also express genitive relationships. The construction 'die/dat van mij/jou' (that of mine/yours) is common. These forms are used for emphasis or when the possessed item has already been mentioned.
Possessive Pronoun Constructions
| Dutch | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| die van mij | mine (that one) | de-word reference |
| dat van jou | yours (that one) | het-word reference |
| die van ons | ours | plural reference |
| van wie is dit? | whose is this? | question form |
Examples
Die fiets is van mij.
That bicycle is mine.
'van mij' = possessive construction
Van wie is deze jas?
Whose coat is this?
'van wie' = whose (question)
Mijn auto is rood, die van haar is blauw.
My car is red, hers is blue.
'die van haar' = hers (that of her)
Is dit boek van jou of van hem?
Is this book yours or his?
contrast with 'van' construction