How to Use "Leur" in French

Understanding the various uses of "leur" in French is essential for effective communication. This versatile word can function as both a possessive adjective and an indirect object pronoun, depending on the context.

"Leur" as a Possessive Adjective

When used as a possessive adjective, "leur" means "their" in English. It agrees in number with the noun it modifies but does not change based on gender.

Examples:

• Leur maison (Their house)
• Leurs livres (Their books)

Note that "leur" becomes "leurs" when the possessed noun is plural.

"Leur" as an Indirect Object Pronoun

As an indirect object pronoun, "leur" means "to them" or "for them." It is used for third-person plural indirect objects.

Example:

• Je leur donne le livre. (I give them the book.)

Key Points to Remember

1. When "leur" is a possessive adjective, it changes to "leurs" for plural nouns.
2. As an indirect object pronoun, "leur" never changes form.
3. "Leur" always comes before the verb when used as a pronoun.

Practice using "leur" in both its forms to improve your French language skills and express possession or indirect objects more naturally.