POSSESSION: MON, MA, MES

In English, the gender of the possessive adjective depends on the possessor's gender: "he has his book;" "she has her purse." In French, the gender of the possession (not the possessor) is what determines whether the masculine or feminine form is used for singular nouns. Remember, the three French equivalents of "the" are le, la, and les. Similarly, there are three equivalents for the possessive adjective "my."

mon (m. sg.)* C'est mon livre. This is my book.
ma (f. sg.) Voilà ma chambre. Here is my room.
mes (m./f. pl.) Où sont mes valises? Where are my suitcases?

*Mon is also used in front of masculine and feminine nouns beginning with a vowel or silent h-.

mon agence (f.) my agency
mon ambassade (f.) my embassy, my mission
mon hôtel (m.) my hotel
mon habitude (f.) my habit