su meaning in spanish

In Spanish, "su" is a possessive adjective that translates to "his," "her," "its," or "their" in English, depending on the context. It is used to indicate possession or ownership related to the third person. The form "su" can refer to both singular and plural subjects.

Detailed Explanation:

1. Third Person Possession:

   • Singular:
     • His: Refers to something belonging to a male (e.g., "su libro" = "his book").
     • Her: Refers to something belonging to a female (e.g., "su casa" = "her house").
     • Its: Can refer to something belonging to a non-human entity (e.g., "su tamaño" = "its size").
   • Plural:
     • Their: Refers to something belonging to multiple people (e.g., "su coche" = "their car").

2. Formality:

   • "Su" can also be used in formal contexts to refer to the second person "usted" (the formal "you"). For example, "su trabajo" means "your job" in a formal address.

3. Context-Sensitive:

   • The exact meaning of "su" often depends on the context of the sentence, as it can refer to different subjects.

4. Examples:

   • "Este es su perro." (This is his/her/their dog.)
   • "¿Dónde está su casa?" (Where is his/her/their house?)
   • "Su opinión es importante." (Your/his/her/their opinion is important.)
5. Difference from Other Possessives:
   • "Tu" is the informal singular "your."
   • "Nuestro/a" means "our."
   • "Vuestro/a" is the informal plural "your" (used in some regions).

Summary:

"Su" is a versatile possessive adjective in Spanish, essential for expressing ownership in various contexts. Its interpretation relies heavily on the context and the subject to which it refers.