la Instead of a Possessive
La Instead of Mia or Lia
La is enough when the sentence already shows the owner.
How It Works
| With la | With a possessive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Li levis la kapon. | Li levis sian kapon. | He raised his head. |
| Ŝi lavis al si la manojn. | Ŝi lavis siajn manojn. | She washed her hands. |
| Mi montris per la fingro. | Mi montris per mia fingro. | I pointed with my finger. |
Both columns are correct. The la version works when the sentence already shows the owner, as the subject or as al si. It is common with body parts, clothes and relatives.
When the owner is another person, use a possessive: Li levis ŝian kapon means he raised her head. Do not use lian for his own: Li vidas lian patrinon means that he sees another man's mother.
Examples (5)
- Kenji levis la manon kaj salutis la gastojn.
Kenji raised his hand and greeted the guests.
La manon is Kenji's own hand, because he is the subject.
- Ahmed metis la ĉapelon sur la kapon.
Ahmed put his hat on his head.
Both nouns are Ahmed's, so no possessive is needed.
- Fatima lavis al si la manojn antaŭ la manĝo.
Fatima washed her hands before the meal.
Al si shows whose hands they are.
- Luisa montris per la fingro, kie estas la hotelo.
Luisa pointed with her finger to show where the hotel is.
Per la fingro means with her own finger.
- Diru al la patro, ke mi venos morgaŭ.
Tell my father that I will come tomorrow.
La patro means my father here, because the listener knows whose father is meant.
Common Mistakes
Using lia for the subject's own hand.
Kenji levis lian manon kaj salutis la gastojn.Kenji levis la manon kaj salutis la gastojn.Lian manon is the hand of another man. For his own hand, use la manon or sian manon.
How It Connects
Learn This First
La replaces a possessive when it is clear whose it is.
Related Patterns
Practice la Instead of a Possessive in Bubblegum
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