Possessives ('s)

[lee ying]

I don`t understand very wel when i see this `s.
what does `s mean?
maybe you think is very easy but I don`t know when I have to use it.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by lee ying

I don`t understand very wel when i see this `s.
what does `s mean?
maybe you think is very easy but I don`t know when I have to use it.

That can be either the possessive s or a contraction with the verb to be.

I have to cut this post short, but if no one else replies, I will go into more detail later on.

[lee ying]

ok.

[Jessica]

it's used for possessive nouns.
Jessica's diary
Tom's book
the dog's bone
the baby's toy

[lee ying]

^_^oh, I see. can I say ,
the teacher`s dog. El perro del profesor
she is my sister`s aunt: Ella es la tia de mi hermana.
Am I right?

[Jessica]

Yes. I'm not sure how you would say it in Spanish. in Spanish, I suppose, "the teacher's dog" would mean "the dog of the teacher" I guess.

[lee ying]

yes, so. what sentense is correct? the teacher`s dog or the dog of the teacher.

[Jessica]

"the teacher's dog" makes more sense.

[lee ying]

ok, ^_^' thanks . if one thing belong to another person I have to do that.
like your examples.. right.
now, I got it.

[Jessica]

ok good and you're welcome

[tacuba]

Originally Posted by lee ying

ok, ^_^' thanks . if one thing belong to another person I have to do that.
like your examples.. right.
now, I got it.

You don't have to: "The dog of the teacher" is a perfectly correct sentence in English and would be understood by everyone. However, "the teacher's dog" is the common usage and is probably used 99% of the time.

[Jessica]

yes. you can use the dog of the teacher, but 99% of the time it's teacher's dog. ^_^

[lee ying]

y si miro un nombre con el possesive al ultimo que significa: for example.
jael alejandra`s
daniel`s
cual es el significado. i`m confused yet.

[CrOtALiTo]

Yes, Yee ling, when you need to say the property of someone, you need to put fist the subject and later the property of the subject for example, if you can say La casa de mi papa, I have to say Father's home.

I hope the help of Jchen and my help cans help you or it cans of great useful for you.

[Jessica]

right. Crotalito is right. What else don't you understand?

[Rusty]

Daniel's = de Daniel
This is Daniel's car. = Este es el carro de Daniel.

And, as explained in the second post, an apostrophe s ('s) can be used to make a contraction. For example:
It's = It is
Daniel's going to the store. = Daniel is going to the store.
It's been a year since I saw you last. = It has been a year since I saw you last.

[Jessica]

In Chinese:
Zhe she Jessica de qian bi.
This is Jessica's pencil.

the possessive "de" comes after the subject....in Spanish it's before..

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by jchen

In Chinese:
Zhe she Jessica de qian bi.
This is Jessica's pencil.

the possessive "de" comes after the subject....in Spanish it's before..

To be honest, that's very interesting to me BUT, this is the wrong place for it. We need to try and keep other things concerning other languages in the correct forum, since this forum is for practicing Spanish or English. Just a friendly note, so you remember for next time.

[Jessica]

ok ok sorry :P

[lee ying]

now. i got it !
but in spanish is different, for exmaple:
we have to sya first the things and then the person.
this is my father`s home
esta es la casa de mi papa.
these are alejandra`s books.
estos son los libros de alejandra.
+ thing
+ person