In German
sein
Meaning: his
Example sentences
DasistseinHund.
That is his dog.
SeineMutteristÄrztin.
His mother is a doctor.
Grammar note
“Sein” means “his” and takes the same “ein”-type endings: “sein Hund” (masculine), “seine Mutter” (feminine). It's also the infinitive of the verb “to be” — context always makes clear which one is meant.
Common mistake
Don't confuse possessive “sein” (his) with the verb “sein” (to be) — they're spelled identically but function completely differently; context (is there a noun right after it?) tells them apart.
Quick check
Which German word means “his”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Is “sein” the same word as the verb “to be”?
They're spelled the same, but one is the possessive “his” and the other is the infinitive verb “sein” (to be) — context tells them apart.
Does “sein” change its ending?
Yes — like “mein” and “dein”, e.g. “sein Hund”, “seine Mutter”, “seinen Bruder”.