Next to the possessive pronouns like mój, twój, jego, nasz in Polish there is also a reflexive possessive pronoun ‘swój’. Have you ever come across it? Do you know how to use it?
The pronoun ‘swój’ is used in sentences when subject of the sentence and possessor are the same. Compare the sentences below:
Masz mój telefon (subject – ty, possessor – ja) ale Mam swój telefon. (subject and possesor – ja)
Mam twoje ciasto. (subject – ja, possessor – ty) ale Masz swoje ciastko. (subject and possesor – ty)
Mam jego książkę (subject – ja, possessor – on) ale On ma swoją książkę. (subject and possesor – on)
Macie nasz samochód (subject – wy, possessor – my) ale Mamy swój samochód. (subject and possesor – my)
Mam waszą sofę (subject – ja, possessor – wy) ale Macie swoją sofę. (subject and possesor – wy)
Mam ich kota. (subject – ja, possessor – oni) Oni mają swojego kota. (subject and possesor – oni)
As you may notice the pronoun swój has three forms, depends on the gender (swój, swoja, swoje), and declines the same way as pronouns mój or twój.
LET’S PRACTICE
You know the theory already, complete the exercise below and find out if you know how to use the pronoun in practise. Powodzenia!
If the exercise doesn’t work, you may find it here
image credit: https://coffeegeek.tv/best-drinks-at-dutch-bros/
It is simply the best explanation of the difference between swój pronoun and the other regular pronouns (mój, twój, etc.).
Dziękuję. I’m very happy to hear that
This article is well explained but I believe these are possessive adjectives, not possessive pronouns.
Dziękuję. I’m glad you like the article. Yes, English grammar classify those forms as ‘possessive adjectives’ but in Polish grammar they are acctually pronouns (zaimki dzierżawcze). I used the Polish term and translated it to English. I should have mentioned the difference in the classification. Thank you for pointing that out.