Expressing possession in French with "être à"

In French, to express something belongs to someone you can use the expression "être à".

How to use 'être à' in French

Look at these sentences expressing possession:

Cette ceinture est à eux.This belt is theirs.  (a mixed group or male group)

C'est à qui ? / À qui c'est ?Whose is it?

C'est à moi !It's mine!

Ce sac est à lui.This bag is his.

Ces chaussures sont à elle.These shoes are hers.

Ces bonbons sont à elles.These sweets are theirs (female group).

To express possession in French (It's mine, yours...), you can use the expression être à + moi/toi/lui/elle/nous/vous/eux/elles (literally it is to me/you/...)

Grammar note: in French you use the disjunctive/stress pronouns (moi/toi/lui/elle ...), whereas in English you use the possessive pronouns (mine/yours/his/hers ....)

 

See also Le mien/le tien/le sien/etc = Mine/yours/his/hers/its (French Possessive Pronouns)
and Le nôtre/le vôtre/le leur/etc = Ours/yours/theirs (French Possessive Pronouns)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Cette ceinture est à eux.This belt is theirs.  (a mixed group or male group)
C'est à qui ? / À qui c'est ?Whose is it?
C'est à moi !It's mine!
Ces bonbons sont à elles.These sweets are theirs (female group).
Ce sac est à lui.This bag is his.
Ces chaussures sont à elle.These shoes are hers.
Let me take a look at that...