B1 Norwegian GrammarGenitive Case
Learn how to express possession in Norwegian using the genitive -s suffix and alternative constructions with prepositions. Norwegian genitive is simpler than in many languages, with one form that works for all genders and numbers, making it straightforward once you master the basic rules.
1The Genitive -s
Norwegian forms the genitive by adding '-s' directly to the noun (no apostrophe). This works for all nouns regardless of gender or number: en gutt (a boy) → guttens (the boy's), ei jente (a girl) → jentas (the girl's). The -s attaches to the definite or indefinite form depending on meaning.
Genitive Formation
| Noun | Definite | Genitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| en bil | bilen | bilens | bilens farge (the car's color) |
| et hus | huset | husets | husets eier (the house's owner) |
| ei bok | boka | bokas | bokas forfatter (the book's author) |
| barn (pl) | barna | barnas | barnas leker (the children's toys) |
Examples
Mannens hund er stor.
The man's dog is big.
mannen + s = mannens
Jentas sykkel er ny.
The girl's bicycle is new.
jenta + s = jentas
Husets tak er rødt.
The house's roof is red.
huset + s = husets (neuter)
Elevenes bøker ligger på pulten.
The students' books are on the desk.
elevene + s = elevenes (plural)
2Genitive with Names and Proper Nouns
For proper nouns (names), simply add -s without any article. This is identical to English usage: Ole → Oles, Norge → Norges, Oslo → Oslos. Names ending in -s, -x, or -z just add an apostrophe in writing but sound the same in speech.
Genitive with Names
| Name | Genitive | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Erik | Eriks | Eriks bil (Erik's car) |
| Anna | Annas | Annas bok (Anna's book) |
| Jonas | Jonas' | Jonas' hus (Jonas's house) |
| Norge | Norges | Norges historie (Norway's history) |
Examples
Pers kone jobber som lærer.
Per's wife works as a teacher.
Per + s = Pers
Marias foreldre bor i Bergen.
Maria's parents live in Bergen.
Maria + s = Marias
Norges hovedstad er Oslo.
Norway's capital is Oslo.
Norge + s = Norges
Lars' bil er parkert utenfor.
Lars's car is parked outside.
Lars + ' (ends in s)
3Alternative: 'til' Construction
Norwegian often uses 'til' (to/of) instead of the genitive -s, especially with definite nouns, for clarity, or in formal contexts. The pattern is: noun + til + owner. This is often preferred when the possessor is long or complex.
Genitive vs. 'til' Construction
| Genitive -s | til Construction | English |
|---|---|---|
| lærerens bok | boka til læreren | the teacher's book |
| husenes tak | takene til husene | the houses' roofs |
| kongens slott | slottet til kongen | the king's castle |
| barnas leker | lekene til barna | the children's toys |
Examples
Bilen til naboen er ny.
The neighbor's car is new.
til + naboen (alternative to naboens)
Hunden til mannen min er snill.
My husband's dog is friendly.
til + mannen min (complex possessor)
Direktøren til firmaet kommer i morgen.
The company's director comes tomorrow.
til + firmaet (formal style)
Hovedstaden til Sverige er Stockholm.
Sweden's capital is Stockholm.
til + Sverige (can also use Sveriges)
4Possessive Pronouns vs. Genitive
Don't confuse genitive (-s on nouns) with possessive pronouns (min, din, hans, hennes, etc.). Use genitive for specific possessors: 'the teacher's' (lærerens). Use possessive pronouns for general ownership: 'my' (min). Possessive pronouns change form based on the gender of what is owned.
Genitive vs. Possessive Pronouns
| Type | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Genitive -s | mannens bil | the man's car (specific man) |
| Possessive | hans bil | his car (pronoun) |
| Genitive -s | lærerens spørsmål | the teacher's question |
| Possessive | hennes spørsmål | her question |
Examples
Dette er Annas hus, ikke hennes.
This is Anna's house, not hers.
Annas (genitive) vs hennes (pronoun)
Lærerens metode er annerledes enn min.
The teacher's method is different from mine.
lærerens (specific) vs min (pronoun)
Kontorets dører lukkes kl. 17.
The office's doors close at 5 PM.
kontoret + s = kontorets
Familiens bil stĂĄr i garasjen.
The family's car is in the garage.
familien + s = familiens