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What's the difference between 'swoje' & 'moje'?


posts: 8
inkrakow
  May 14, 08, 10:05  #1

An English friend of mine asked me and I couldn't explain but I know there is a difference... Can anyone help me put it into words?

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Marek
  May 14, 08, 10:17  #2

'Moje' means 'my' for the neuter singular and plural inanimate nouns, i.e. 'moje książki' (not: 'moi studenci' etc.) 'Swoje' is reflexive 'it's', 'his' 'hers'. E.g. 'Ona ma swoją książkę.' (She has her own book), not 'Ona ma jej książkę.' = She has some other female's book.

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andala
  May 14, 08, 10:19  #3

Moje is a possessive pronoun for 1st person singular

To są moje zabawki. (These are my toys)

Swoje is a pronoun for all persons.

Mam swoje prawa (I have my rights)
Masz swoje prawa (You have your rights

Sometimes these pronouns can be used interchangeably - in cases when the pronoun swój describes possession.

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tulipan
  May 14, 08, 10:57  #4

That's funny and bizare at the same time when we (Polish) sometimes don't know how to answer for such "simple" question.

Good to read explanation! I wouldn't have known the answer neither for the first few moments :P

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Krzysztof
  May 14, 08, 11:38  #5

I just posted something on "swój" yesterday, take look at that:
http://www.polishforums.com/donkey_diary-41_22972_0.html#msg438723

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inkrakow
  May 14, 08, 14:58  #6

Thanks! This is all really helpful

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Polonius3
  May 14, 08, 17:34  #7

Many Poles find English funny when they hear someone say 'I'm brushing MY teeth' or 'He's washing HIS feet.' Whose teeth should I be brushing if not my own? -- is a typical reaction. In Polish 'Myję zęby' is sufficient.

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Marek
  May 15, 08, 07:51  #8

Same as in many languages, except for English. German, for instance too: "Ich putz' mir g'rad' die Zaehne!" = I'm brushing my (lit. 'THE') teeth right now!

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