Possessive -s
How does possessive -s work?
Swedish usually shows possession by adding -s. This construction is traditionally called the genitive, but in Swedish it has been reduced to a so-called enclitic particle.
Joakim → Joakims
barnen → barnens
Det är Joakims hemsida.It is Joakim's website.
Barnens jackor hänger i hallen.The children's jackets are hanging in the hall.
Unlike English, Swedish does not use an apostrophe before the -s. An apostrophe can, however, be used after an s sound for clarity: Alex', Anders'.
The following noun stays indefinite
A possessive already makes the noun definite in meaning, so the following noun does not take the definite ending.
Mammas jobb.Mom's job.
Riddarens häst.The knight's horse.
If there is an adjective, however, the adjective uses its definite form.
Jag lånade min brors gamla cykel.I borrowed my brother's old bike.
The -s belongs to the whole phrase
Traditionally, the possessive -s would have been added to the main noun in a noun phrase.
Kungens av England slottThe King of England's castle
Some grammar police still think this is correct, but it has virtually died out in contemporary Swedish, and most people would find that it sounds off. Instead, the particle is added to the whole noun phrase, since the phrase as a whole can be the subject or object.
Kungen av Englands slottThe King of England's castle