svoj / svoja / svoje

The Subject's Own Possession

Level 3

Svoj points possession back to the subject.

How It Works

In a simple clause, compare Ana čita svoju knjigu with Ana čita njezinu knjigu. The second normally points to another woman’s book in context.

The form does not tell you the owner’s gender: svoju is feminine accusative because knjigu is feminine accusative. A male subject would also read svoju knjigu.

The same pattern works with first and second persons: čitam svoju knjigu and čitaš svoju knjigu. More complex clauses can affect the reference; establish the subject of the local clause before choosing the owner.

Examples (3)

  1. Ana traži svoju torbu.

    Ana is looking for her own bag.

    The possessor is the subject Ana.

  2. Ivan čita svoju knjigu.

    Ivan is reading his own book.

    Svoju agrees with knjigu, not with Ivan.

  3. Vraćamo se svojoj kući.

    We are returning to our own house.

    Svojoj is feminine dative after the motion expression.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

svoj / svoja / svojeLevel 3The Subject's Own Possession

Learn This First

Reflexive possession requires identifying the clause subject and the possessed noun.

Words in This Pattern

svojsvoj