When learning French, knowing how to say “their” is very useful. It helps you talk about belongings or relationships that are connected to other people. You might need this word in daily conversations like discussing someone’s family, pets, or friends.
In French, the word “their” changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Don’t worry, though—it’s simple once you get the hang of it. In this article, we’ll explore how to say “their” in French, discover alternate expressions, and practice with fun examples. Let’s get started!
Ways to Say “Their” in French
In French, the word for “their” changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it modifies. This is important to match the article with the object being described, not the owner. The three forms used are leur, leurs, and son/sa/ses in specific cases. Below, you’ll find different ways to say “their” in French, with examples to help you understand how to use each one.
1. Leur
Pronunciation: lœr
Meaning: Their (for singular objects)
In a Sentence:
- Leur maison est grande. (Their house is big.)
- J’aime leur idée pour le projet. (I like their idea for the project.)
2. Leurs
Pronunciation: lœr
Meaning: Their (for plural objects)
In a Sentence:
- Leurs enfants jouent dans le parc. (Their children are playing in the park.)
- Leurs livres sont sur la table. (Their books are on the table.)
3. Son
Pronunciation: sohn
Meaning: His/Her/Their (used for masculine singular nouns if the owner is singular but contextually plural)
In a Sentence:
- Chaque élève a son cahier. (Each student has their notebook.)
- L’enfant cherche son jouet. (The child is looking for their toy.)
4. Sa
Pronunciation: sah
Meaning: His/Her/Their (used for feminine singular nouns if the owner is singular but contextually plural)
In a Sentence:
- Chaque employé doit apporter sa carte. (Each employee must bring their card.)
- L’élève a oublié sa veste. (The student forgot their jacket.)
5. Ses
Pronunciation: seh
Meaning: His/Her/Their (used for plural nouns if the owner is singular but contextually plural)
In a Sentence:
- Chaque parent a ses responsabilités. (Each parent has their responsibilities.)
- L’enfant montre ses dessins. (The child is showing their drawings.)
6. À eux
Pronunciation: ah uh
Meaning: Belonging to them (used for emphasis)
In a Sentence:
- Cette voiture est à eux. (This car is theirs.)
- La maison est à eux, pas à nous. (The house is theirs, not ours.)
7. À elles
Pronunciation: ah el
Meaning: Belonging to them (when referring to a group of females)
In a Sentence:
- Ces chaussures sont à elles. (These shoes are theirs.)
- La décision est à elles. (The decision is theirs.)
8. Leur propre
Pronunciation: lœr pro-pruh
Meaning: Their own
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont leur propre entreprise. (They have their own business.)
- Les enfants ont leur propre chambre. (The children have their own room.)
9. Les leurs
Pronunciation: lay lœr
Meaning: Theirs (possessive pronoun)
In a Sentence:
- Ces jouets sont les leurs. (These toys are theirs.)
- Les clés sur la table sont les leurs. (The keys on the table are theirs.)
10. De leur côté
Pronunciation: duh lœr koh-tay
Meaning: On their side
In a Sentence:
- De leur côté, tout est prêt. (On their side, everything is ready.)
- Nous avons fait notre travail, de leur côté, il reste du travail. (We’ve done our work; on their side, there’s still work to do.)
11. Leur part
Pronunciation: lœr par
Meaning: Their share
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont reçu leur part de l’héritage. (They received their share of the inheritance.)
- Les employés attendent leur part du bonus. (The employees are waiting for their share of the bonus.)
12. Pour leur compte
Pronunciation: poor lœr kohnt
Meaning: On their behalf
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont parlé pour leur compte. (They spoke on their behalf.)
- Ce contrat a été signé pour leur compte. (This contract was signed on their behalf.)
13. À leur usage
Pronunciation: ah lœr yoo-sahj
Meaning: For their use
In a Sentence:
- Ce logiciel est à leur usage. (This software is for their use.)
- Les outils sont à leur usage seulement. (The tools are for their use only.)
14. Selon leur choix
Pronunciation: suh-lohn lœr shwah
Meaning: According to their choice
In a Sentence:
- Le menu a été décidé selon leur choix. (The menu was decided according to their choice.)
- Ils ont agi selon leur choix. (They acted according to their choice.)
15. Sous leur responsabilité
Pronunciation: soo lœr reh-spon-sah-bee-lee-tay
Meaning: Under their responsibility
In a Sentence:
- Ce projet est sous leur responsabilité. (This project is under their responsibility.)
- Les décisions sont prises sous leur responsabilité. (The decisions are made under their responsibility.)
16. De leur côté à eux
Pronunciation: duh lœr koh-tay ah uh
Meaning: From their side (emphatic)
In a Sentence:
- De leur côté à eux, tout est organisé. (From their side, everything is organized.)
- La proposition vient de leur côté à eux. (The suggestion comes from their side.)
17. À leur avantage
Pronunciation: ah lœr ah-vahn-tahzh
Meaning: To their advantage
In a Sentence:
- Cette loi est à leur avantage. (This law is to their advantage.)
- La situation a changé à leur avantage. (The situation has shifted to their advantage.)
18. À leur convenance
Pronunciation: ah lœr kohn-veh-nahns
Meaning: At their convenience
In a Sentence:
- Nous avons fixé la réunion à leur convenance. (We scheduled the meeting at their convenience.)
- Les horaires sont adaptés à leur convenance. (The schedules are adjusted to their convenience.)
19. Leur bien-être
Pronunciation: lœr bee-ehn-eh-truh
Meaning: Their well-being
In a Sentence:
- Nous travaillons pour leur bien-être. (We work for their well-being.)
- Leur bien-être est notre priorité. (Their well-being is our priority.)
20. Leur intérêt
Pronunciation: lœr ahn-teh-reh
Meaning: Their interest
In a Sentence:
- Cette décision est dans leur intérêt. (This decision is in their interest.)
- Ils ont agi en fonction de leur intérêt. (They acted according to their interest.)
21. À leur portée
Pronunciation: ah lœr por-tay
Meaning: Within their reach
In a Sentence:
- Ce rêve est à leur portée. (This dream is within their reach.)
- Tout est fait pour que la victoire soit à leur portée. (Everything is done so the victory is within their reach.)
22. Leur avis
Pronunciation: lœr ah-vee
Meaning: Their opinion
In a Sentence:
- Leur avis sur cette question est important. (Their opinion on this matter is important.)
- Nous devons attendre leur avis avant de décider. (We need to wait for their opinion before deciding.)
23. Leur soutien
Pronunciation: lœr soo-tyehn
Meaning: Their support
In a Sentence:
- Leur soutien a été crucial pour réussir. (Their support was crucial for success.)
- Nous comptons sur leur soutien. (We rely on their support.)
24. Leur contribution
Pronunciation: lœr kohn-tree-byoo-syohn
Meaning: Their contribution
In a Sentence:
- Leur contribution au projet est remarquable. (Their contribution to the project is remarkable.)
- Le succès dépend de leur contribution. (The success depends on their contribution.)
25. Leur héritage
Pronunciation: lœr eh-ree-tahzh
Meaning: Their inheritance
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont reçu leur héritage récemment. (They received their inheritance recently.)
- Leur héritage culturel est riche et varié. (Their cultural heritage is rich and varied.)
Other Ways to Say “Their” in French
Here are additional ways to express “their” in French, along with pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences. These alternatives offer flexibility and precision depending on the context.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| À leur charge | ah lœr sharzh | Under their responsibility | Les dépenses médicales sont à leur charge. (The medical expenses are under their responsibility.) |
| De leur ressort | duh lœr ruh-sohr | Within their jurisdiction | Cette question est de leur ressort. (This matter is within their jurisdiction.) |
| À leur discrétion | ah lœr dees-kray-syohn | At their discretion | Les horaires sont fixés à leur discrétion. (The schedules are set at their discretion.) |
| Sous leur autorité | soo lœr oh-toh-ree-tay | Under their authority | Le projet est sous leur autorité. (The project is under their authority.) |
| En leur faveur | ahn lœr fah-veur | In their favor | Le verdict a été rendu en leur faveur. (The verdict was delivered in their favor.) |
| En leur nom | ahn lœr nohm | On their behalf | L’avocat a parlé en leur nom. (The lawyer spoke on their behalf.) |
| Pour leur bénéfice | poor lœr bay-nay-fees | For their benefit | Ce changement a été fait pour leur bénéfice. (This change was made for their benefit.) |
| En leur mémoire | ahn lœr meh-mwahr | In their memory | Un monument a été érigé en leur mémoire. (A monument was erected in their memory.) |
| Avec leur consentement | ah-vek lœr kohn-sahn-teh-mahn | With their consent | Cette décision a été prise avec leur consentement. (This decision was made with their consent.) |
| En leur possession | ahn lœr poh-say-syohn | In their possession | Ces documents sont en leur possession. (These documents are in their possession.) |
| Sous leur influence | soo lœr een-floo-ahnss | Under their influence | Ils agissent sous leur influence. (They act under their influence.) |
| Dans leur intérêt | dahn lœr ahn-teh-reh | In their interest | Cette solution est dans leur intérêt. (This solution is in their interest.) |
| À leur disposition | ah lœr dee-spoh-zee-syohn | At their disposal | Les ressources sont à leur disposition. (The resources are at their disposal.) |
| Selon leur volonté | suh-lohn lœr voh-lohn-tay | According to their will | Le plan a été modifié selon leur volonté. (The plan was changed according to their will.) |
| En leur faveur exclusive | ahn lœr fah-veur ex-kloo-zeev | Exclusively in their favor | Ces privilèges sont en leur faveur exclusive. (These privileges are exclusively in their favor.) |
| Pour leur usage personnel | poor lœr yoo-sahj pair-suh-nel | For their personal use | Ces objets sont pour leur usage personnel. (These items are for their personal use.) |
| En leur honneur | ahn lœr oh-nuhr | In their honor | Une fête a été organisée en leur honneur. (A party was organized in their honor.) |
| Sous leur égide | soo lœr ay-zheed | Under their guidance | Ce projet a été réalisé sous leur égide. (This project was carried out under their guidance.) |
| À leur insu | ah lœr ahn-syoo | Without their knowledge | Cela s’est fait à leur insu. (This was done without their knowledge.) |
| En leur faveur directe | ahn lœr fah-veur dee-rekt | Directly in their favor | La décision a été prise en leur faveur directe. (The decision was made directly in their favor.) |
| Avec leur pleine approbation | ah-vek lœr plen ah-proh-bah-syohn | With their full approval | Le projet a démarré avec leur pleine approbation. (The project began with their full approval.) |
| En leur soutien | ahn lœr soo-tyehn | In their support | Nous avons organisé une marche en leur soutien. (We organized a march in their support.) |
| Pour leur sécurité | poor lœr say-kew-ree-tay | For their safety | Ces mesures ont été prises pour leur sécurité. (These measures were taken for their safety.) |
| En leur compagnie | ahn lœr kohn-pee-nee | In their company | Nous avons passé une belle soirée en leur compagnie. (We spent a lovely evening in their company.) |
Responses to “Their” in French
When someone uses “their” in a conversation, it’s important to know how to respond appropriately in French. These responses can help clarify, agree, or provide additional information. Below are several useful responses with explanations and examples.
1. C’est vrai
Pronunciation: say vray
Meaning: That’s true
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur maison est immense. (Their house is huge.)
Person 2: C’est vrai, elle est très grande. (That’s true; it’s very big.)
2. Je comprends
Pronunciation: zhuh kohm-prahn
Meaning: I understand
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leurs enfants sont très occupés. (Their children are very busy.)
Person 2: Je comprends, c’est souvent comme ça. (I understand; it’s often like that.)
3. Exactement
Pronunciation: eks-ak-teuh-mahn
Meaning: Exactly
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur idée est très innovante. (Their idea is very innovative.)
Person 2: Exactement, c’est ce dont on a besoin. (Exactly; that’s what we need.)
4. Pas sûr
Pronunciation: pah syr
Meaning: Not sure
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur voiture est toujours garée ici. (Their car is always parked here.)
Person 2: Pas sûr, je crois qu’ils l’ont vendue. (Not sure; I think they sold it.)
5. Bien sûr
Pronunciation: byehn syr
Meaning: Of course
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur jardin est magnifique. (Their garden is beautiful.)
Person 2: Bien sûr, ils y passent beaucoup de temps. (Of course; they spend a lot of time there.)
6. Peut-être
Pronunciation: puh-teh-truh
Meaning: Maybe
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur réunion pourrait durer longtemps. (Their meeting might last long.)
Person 2: Peut-être, cela dépend du sujet. (Maybe; it depends on the topic.)
7. Pas vraiment
Pronunciation: pah vray-mahn
Meaning: Not really
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur maison semble proche. (Their house seems close.)
Person 2: Pas vraiment, elle est à 20 minutes en voiture. (Not really; it’s 20 minutes by car.)
8. Je ne sais pas
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh say pah
Meaning: I don’t know
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur professeur est strict, non? (Their teacher is strict, isn’t he?)
Person 2: Je ne sais pas, je ne l’ai jamais rencontré. (I don’t know; I’ve never met him.)
9. Absolument
Pronunciation: ahb-so-loo-mahn
Meaning: Absolutely
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur solution est efficace. (Their solution is effective.)
Person 2: Absolument, elle fonctionne très bien. (Absolutely; it works very well.)
10. Je suis d’accord
Pronunciation: zhuh swee dah-kohr
Meaning: I agree
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur proposition est intéressante. (Their proposal is interesting.)
Person 2: Je suis d’accord, ça mérite réflexion. (I agree; it’s worth considering.)
11. C’est possible
Pronunciation: say poh-see-bluh
Meaning: It’s possible
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur avion pourrait être en retard. (Their plane might be delayed.)
Person 2: C’est possible, avec ce mauvais temps. (It’s possible, with this bad weather.)
12. Pas du tout
Pronunciation: pah dew too
Meaning: Not at all
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur chien est dangereux, non? (Their dog is dangerous, isn’t it?)
Person 2: Pas du tout, il est très gentil. (Not at all; he’s very friendly.)
13. Cela dépend
Pronunciation: suh-lah deh-pahn
Meaning: It depends
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur plan semble réalisable. (Their plan seems achievable.)
Person 2: Cela dépend des ressources disponibles. (It depends on the resources available.)
14. Intéressant
Pronunciation: ahn-tay-ray-sahn
Meaning: Interesting
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur choix de couleurs est unique. (Their choice of colors is unique.)
Person 2: Intéressant, cela attire l’attention. (Interesting; it draws attention.)
15. Pas mal
Pronunciation: pah mahl
Meaning: Not bad
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur performance était bonne. (Their performance was good.)
Person 2: Pas mal, mais ils peuvent faire mieux. (Not bad, but they can do better.)
16. Bien pensé
Pronunciation: byehn pahn-say
Meaning: Well thought out
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur plan est bien structuré. (Their plan is well-structured.)
Person 2: Bien pensé, c’est impressionnant. (Well thought out; it’s impressive.)
17. Pourquoi pas?
Pronunciation: poor-kwah pah
Meaning: Why not?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur proposition mérite une chance. (Their proposal deserves a chance.)
Person 2: Pourquoi pas? Essayons. (Why not? Let’s try.)
18. Pas évident
Pronunciation: pah eh-vee-dahnt
Meaning: Not obvious
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur intention est claire. (Their intention is clear.)
Person 2: Pas évident pour tout le monde. (Not obvious to everyone.)
19. Ça m’étonne
Pronunciation: sah meh-ton
Meaning: That surprises me
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur équipe a perdu. (Their team lost.)
Person 2: Ça m’étonne, ils étaient favoris. (That surprises me; they were the favorites.)
20. C’est logique
Pronunciation: say loh-zheek
Meaning: It’s logical
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur décision était nécessaire. (Their decision was necessary.)
Person 2: C’est logique, vu les circonstances. (It’s logical, given the circumstances.)
21. Ça marche
Pronunciation: sah marsh
Meaning: That works
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur plan semble bon. (Their plan seems good.)
Person 2: Ça marche, allons-y. (That works; let’s go.)
22. C’est étrange
Pronunciation: say ay-trahnzh
Meaning: It’s strange
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur réaction était inattendue. (Their reaction was unexpected.)
Person 2: C’est étrange, je ne comprends pas. (It’s strange; I don’t understand.)
23. Comme toujours
Pronunciation: kohm too-zhoor
Meaning: As always
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur travail est impeccable. (Their work is flawless.)
Person 2: Comme toujours, ils sont très précis. (As always; they are very precise.)
24. Ça dépend d’eux
Pronunciation: sah deh-pahn duh
Meaning: It depends on them
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur décision est cruciale. (Their decision is crucial.)
Person 2: Ça dépend d’eux, nous ne pouvons rien faire. (It depends on them; we can’t do anything.)
25. Pas convaincu
Pronunciation: pah kohn-vahn-kyoo
Meaning: Not convinced
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Leur solution est la meilleure. (Their solution is the best.)
Person 2: Pas convaincu, il y a d’autres options. (Not convinced; there are other options.)
Exercise to Practice Success with “Their” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice using “their” in French. The sentences use real-life situations that you can relate to. Each blank corresponds to the appropriate form or variation of “their” based on context.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Les enfants ont oublié ______ jouets dans le parc.
- Chaque étudiant doit apporter ______ livre pour la leçon.
- ______ maison est la plus grande du quartier.
- Les voisins ont garé ______ voitures devant leur maison.
- Ces fleurs sont à eux; elles appartiennent à ______ jardin.
- Nous avons respecté ______ choix sans poser de questions.
- Le professeur a corrigé ______ devoirs avant la réunion.
- C’est important de toujours considérer ______ avis dans les discussions.
- L’entreprise a développé un logiciel pour ______ usage exclusif.
- Les touristes ont oublié ______ cartes dans l’hôtel.
- Chaque parent est fier de ______ enfant à la cérémonie.
- Ce monument a été construit en ______ honneur.
Answers
- leurs – Les enfants ont oublié leurs jouets dans le parc. (The children forgot their toys in the park.)
- son – Chaque étudiant doit apporter son livre pour la leçon. (Each student must bring their book for the lesson.)
- leur – Leur maison est la plus grande du quartier. (Their house is the largest in the neighborhood.)
- leurs – Les voisins ont garé leurs voitures devant leur maison. (The neighbors parked their cars in front of their house.)
- leur – Ces fleurs sont à eux; elles appartiennent à leur jardin. (These flowers are theirs; they belong to their garden.)
- leur – Nous avons respecté leur choix sans poser de questions. (We respected their choice without asking questions.)
- leurs – Le professeur a corrigé leurs devoirs avant la réunion. (The teacher corrected their homework before the meeting.)
- leur – C’est important de toujours considérer leur avis dans les discussions. (It’s important to always consider their opinion in discussions.)
- leur – L’entreprise a développé un logiciel pour leur usage exclusif. (The company developed software for their exclusive use.)
- leurs – Les touristes ont oublié leurs cartes dans l’hôtel. (The tourists forgot their maps at the hotel.)
- son – Chaque parent est fier de son enfant à la cérémonie. (Each parent is proud of their child at the ceremony.)
- leur – Ce monument a été construit en leur honneur. (This monument was built in their honor.)
Conclusion
Understanding how to say and use “their” in French is an essential part of mastering the language. By learning the different forms—leur, leurs, and others—you can make your sentences more accurate and clear. These words allow you to talk about possessions, relationships, and responsibilities in a natural way.
With practice, you’ll feel confident using these expressions in real conversations. Whether it’s discussing someone’s family, belongings, or ideas, you’ll know exactly how to respond or add to the discussion. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises, and soon, using “their” in French will feel like second nature.