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

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?

'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.

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.

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

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

Thanks! This is all really helpful

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.

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!