poseer

to possess

verb poh-seh-EHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin possidere ('to possess, to occupy').

Also means

to own

Usage Note

Poseer is a formal or literary verb for 'to own or possess'; in everyday speech tener is far more common for simple ownership. Note the irregular gerund poseyendo and past participle poseído (both with y to avoid three consecutive vowels). Poseer can also mean 'to be overcome by' in emotional contexts: lo poseía el pánico = 'panic gripped him'.

Examples

"La familia posee varias propiedades en el sur."

Natural Translation

The family owns several properties in the south.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read