Ses yeux vs. les yeux

Frank C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ses yeux vs. les yeux

I have trained myself to use les yeux, les bras, etc. when referring to body parts. So why ses yeux in this context? As you can see, this exercise precipitated lots of questions from me. I really appreciate that you do these for us and they certainly generate a lot of thinking about word usage. Thanks for the challenge!
Asked 2 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

If there's an other person involved and to make clear whose eyes you're talking about, the possessive pronoun is used in this case. Here's the corresponding lesson: Special cases when you use mon/ma/mes/etc with parts of the body (French Possessive Adjectives)

Ses yeux vs. les yeux

I have trained myself to use les yeux, les bras, etc. when referring to body parts. So why ses yeux in this context? As you can see, this exercise precipitated lots of questions from me. I really appreciate that you do these for us and they certainly generate a lot of thinking about word usage. Thanks for the challenge!

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...