Today we'll learn one more Russian reflexive pronoun - свой. This is a possessive pronouns and used to refer back to the subject of the sentence.

First let's take a look at its declension. The pronoun свой change both in numbers and cases:

Use of the reflexive possessive pronoun свой

The pronouns свой is used instead of possessive pronouns when referring back to the subject of the sentence. For example:

Он не по́мнит свой а́дрес. - He doesn't remember his address.

The use of the pronoun свой depends on the gender and number of the object you are talking about:

Я слежу́ за свои́м здоро́вьем. – I (subject) am watching over my health (object).
Он следи́т за свои́м здоро́вьем. – He (subject) is watching over his health (object).
Мы следи́м за свои́м здоро́вьем. – We (subject) are watching over our health (object).

"Следи́ть за здоро́вьем" is an example of the Instrumental.

Pay attention:

Talking about 3d person use the general possessive pronoun if you refer the other person. Use the pronoun свой if your refer to the subject of the sentence:

Она взяла́ свою́ су́мку. – She took her (own) bag.
Она́ взяла́ её су́мку. – She took her (someone else’s) bag.

Talking about 1st or 2d person you can use or possessive or reflexive pronoun:

Дай мне твой но́мер телефо́на. / Дай мне свой но́мер телефо́на.
Give me your phone number.

Я сде́лала ремо́нт в свое́й ко́мнате. / Я сде́лала ремо́нт в мое́й ко́мнате.
I renovated my room.

Body parts:

Russians usually don't use any pronouns when talking about body parts.

Я почи́стила зу́бы. – I brushed my teeth.
Ты вы́мыл ру́ки? – Hve you washed your hands?

Here is an audio file for you to practice all examples of today's lesson:

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