Thread: The pronoun "свой" - A complete guide

Hi guys,

The pronoun свой was for me one of those things that I’ve always tried to stay away from.

I finally took the brave decision to throw some light on свой!

Read here and let me know if this all makes sense!

Best,
Angelos

Свой дурак дороже чем чужого умника.

"чем" is not correct here. Two variants are possible:
а) Свой дурак дороже чужого умника. (no need in joint particle at all. second part answers question "кого?")
б) Свой дурак дороже, чем чужой умник. (with joint particle second part answers question "кто?")

I have liked the article.

1)
Она любить мать. should be -> Она любит (свою) мать.

2)
Он и его сестра живут в Англии. – He and his sister live in England.
Though it will make the text more verbose, you could also add the construct:
Он со своей сестрой живёт в Англии.

(however, here "со своей сестрой" is not attributed to the subject, IIRC)

3)
Also there is "своё", used as a noun, with the meaning "something you own, and don't need to buy":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5PfDzs2WNY

Originally Posted by angelos

Hi guys,

The pronoun свой was for me one of those things that I’ve always tried to stay away from.

I finally took the brave decision to throw some light on свой!

Good job!

I would like to add a few words on the meanings of свой. It is widely used not only as a pronoun but also as an adjective or a noun expressing various ownership-related meanings.
In particular, it is used as such in your examples:

1) one's own, in the sence of property, ownership:
У него есть свой бизнес.
Своя рубашка ближе к телу.

2) "not other's", "not alien", "one of us":
Свой дурак дороже чужого умника.
У нас нет от неё секретов: она здесь своя.
Свой свояка видит издалека.
Не стесняйся, здесь все свои.

Some more examples:

3) "one's own will", "one's own way"
добиться своего - to carry one's point, to achieve one's goal
действовать по-своему - to act in one's own way

4) "specific", "original":
В этой музыке есть своя прелесть.

5) "appropriate", "suitable":
Всему своё время.
На всё есть свои правила.

6) "natural", "common"
умереть своей смертью - to die a natural death
Он сам не свой. - He is not himself.

Originally Posted by angelos

Hi guys,

The pronoun свой was for me one of those things that I’ve always tried to stay away from.

I finally took the brave decision to throw some light on свой!

Read here and let me know if this all makes sense!

Best,
Angelos

Are you Greek?