cadanseu / cadansúa
Each Their Own: Cadanseu
Cadanseu means each ... their own: Levaron cadanseu libro (they each took their own book).
How It Works
Four forms, chosen by the thing
- Masculine singular: cadanseu libro
- Feminine singular: cadansúa bicicleta
- Masculine plural: cadanseus zapatos
- Feminine plural: cadansúas mochilas
The form agrees with the thing that is shared out, never with the people. Girls can take cadanseu libro, and boys can take cadansúa bicicleta.
Always next to the thing. Cadanseu goes before the thing possessed and never stands for the people: Compraron cadanseus zapatos (they each bought their own shoes).
Any owner. Although it contains seu, it works for every person: Nós levamos cadanseu paraugas (we each brought our own umbrella).
An optional a. An a may come before it: Déronnos cadanseu xeado or Déronnos a cadanseu xeado (they gave us an ice cream each), and Compraron a cadanseus zapatos (they each bought their own shoes).
Spelling. Write it as one word. Forms like cadaseu or cadaunseu are heard in speech, but cadanseu is the standard form.
Compare the ordinary possessive o seu, a súa and de seu.
Examples (6)
- Levaron cadanseu libro.
They each took their own book.
- Colleron cadansúa bicicleta.
They each took their own bicycle.
Cadansúa agrees with bicicleta, which is feminine.
- Compraron cadanseus zapatos.
They each bought their own shoes.
Plural thing, plural form: cadanseus.
- Os nenos tiñan cadansúa mochila.
The children each had their own backpack.
- Nós levamos cadanseu paraugas.
We each brought our own umbrella.
Cadanseu works for nós too.
- Déronnos a cadanseu xeado.
They gave us an ice cream each.
The a before cadanseu is optional here.
Common Mistakes
Agreeing with the people instead of the thing.
As nenas levaron cadansúa libro.As nenas levaron cadanseu libro.Cadanseu agrees with libro, which is masculine, not with the girls.
Forgetting the plural form with a plural thing.
Compraron cadanseu zapatos.Compraron cadanseus zapatos.Zapatos is plural, so the form is cadanseus.
Using cadanseu for the people instead of the thing.
Cadanseu levou un libro.Levaron cadanseu libro.Cadanseu always goes with the thing that is shared out, never with the people. Say who acts with the verb: levaron.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Cadanseu assigns possessions separately to each owner and agrees with the thing possessed.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice cadanseu / cadansúa in Bubblegum
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