when do I use suyo and when do I use suya

Question

I am uncertain when to use "suya" and suyo.

Answer 1

They are possessive pronouns, as opposed to possessive adjectives, which is the difference between mine and my in English--the pronoun replaces the noun while the adjective modifies it. So you would use them when you would use his/hers/theirs in English.

Suya is feminine and suyo is masculine and the take their gender from the noun they are replacing.

Answer 2

Some examples:

Supuesto 1: Alguien le pregunta a María sobre un reloj que está sobre una mesa.

Pregunta: ¿Es suyo este reloj? (suyo because reloj is masculine)

Supuesto 2: Alguien le pregunta a Jorge sobre una laptop que está sobre una mesa.

Pregunta: ¿Es suya esta laptop? (suya because laptop is feminine).

Answer 3

Just another explanation of what's already been explained...Suyo is the thing that belongs to that person over there...that person who is not a part of this group that is speaking. That guy over there at the bus stop? That dog is suya. The gender has to change accordingly. That car that is getting a ticket? That car belongs to the guy in the store...it's suyo.

Yes but it can also be someone in the group, everyone in the group is hte third person to the one that is answering the question. - kenwilliams, Oct 7, 2009

Answer 4

El libro es suyo = the book is his/hers. La carpeta es suya = the folder is his/hers El lápiz es mio = the pencil is mine La regla es tuya = the rule is yours Los libros son suyos = the books are his/hers.