Definitions
01belonging to me
A1 · Beginner
det. used to show that something belongs to you or is connected to you.
det. the first-person singular possessive determiner. It precedes a noun to indicate ownership, relationship, or association.
“I need to find my keys before we can leave the house.”
“I left my umbrella on the train this morning, so I had to run through the rain to get to the office.”
Usage
Always placed before the noun it modifies.
Pitfall
I like mine car.
I like my car.
Use 'my' before a noun; use 'mine' when there is no noun following it.
Teaching tip
Ensure students do not confuse 'my' with the pronoun 'mine'.
02expressing surprise
B1 · Intermediate Informal
interj. used to show that you are surprised or impressed.
interj. an exclamation used to express surprise, amazement, or mild shock. Often used in the phrase 'Oh my'.
“My, you have grown so much since the last time I saw you.”
“My, what a spectacular view you have from this balcony.”
Usage
Often appears as 'My, my' or 'Oh my'.
Teaching tip
This can sound slightly old-fashioned or polite depending on the speaker's tone.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/my
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0