Suya/suyo. Propia/propia

Question

Easy question everyone! I know that it should be simple, but I just can't get my small mind wrapped around it. When a male is asking permission to walk through etc, he will say "con permiso" I can respond in various ways, two of which are "propio" or "suyo", right? Now, if a lady comes through, do I use "propia" or "suya"; or is the masculine still correct. Ex. I am in Pancho's way, "Con permiso." "Suyo" María comes through- suyo or suya? I have asked several people and get different answers ever time. Does it need to match the gender of the person, or the masculinity of "permiso"? Thnx

Answer 1

I'm not familar with the usage, so I 'm not sure whether these are pronouns or possessive adjectives in this context. However, the concordance goes with the noun that it modifies; not with the possessor.

la casa suya=his house or her house or your house (no matter what the sex of the possessor)

el libro suyo=her book, his book, your book

so con permiso suyo/propio whether the persmission belongs to a man or woman.

However, this usage (el suyo, propio) may refer to something else entirely. (e.g. the right-of- way is yours)

Thank you kindly! That was what I thought too, but I was told otherwise. I think I will take your word for it! See ya around - Pinolero, Feb 9, 2012