svoj

Referring Back to the Subject

Level 3

Svoj normally identifies the possessor as the subject of its clause.

How It Works

Svoj normally identifies the possessor as the subject of its clause. Moj and other personal possessives can refer to a different possessor or emphasize a contrast.

Ana bere svojo knjigo explicitly makes Ana the owner. Ana bere mojo knjigo instead makes the speaker the owner. The possessive adjective still agrees with knjigo, so its feminine accusative ending is independent of the owner's identity.

Examples (3)

  1. Ana bere svojo knjigo.

    Ana is reading her own book.

  2. Vzel sem svojo torbo.

    I took my own bag.

  3. Marko pozna mojega brata.

    Marko knows my brother.

How It Connects

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

svojLevel 3Referring Back to the Subject

Learn This First

Recognize possessive agreement before making the owner refer back to the subject.

Words in This Pattern

svoj