Pronouns · Lesson 3
Себя и свой
Reflexive pronouns
себя has no nominative — it refers back to the subject. свой is the possessive that means “one’s own.”
How it works
себя has no nominative — it refers back to the subject. свой is the possessive that means “one’s own.”
Then open Forms, Notes, Exceptions, and Examples in that order.
When to use it
- себя when the object is the same as the subject: Он видит себя.
- After prepositions referring to the subject: у себя, к себе, с собой, о себе
- свой when the owner is the subject: Она любит свою работу.
- Not in nominative subject slot — use the personal pronoun instead
Pro tip
Ask: is the owner/object the same person as the subject? If yes, start with себя / свой.