The possessive suffix is an feature unique to Finno-Ugric languages. It has the same function as possessive pronouns do when indicating ownership. For example, Finnish has this set of possessive suffixes:
| Formal | English |
| taloni | my house |
| talosi | your (sg) house |
| talonsa | his house |
| talomme | our house |
| talonne | your (pl) house |
| talonsa | their house |
It is optional, not mandatory as in English, to use pronouns in the genitive with these words, e.g. minun taloni means "my house" with or without the minun ("I's").
