Help with a question?

Ben A.C1Kwiziq community member

Help with a question?

Can someone please tell me why HIS in question one is La and not Sa? I have contacted two French teachers who both say the answer to this question is Sa referring to someone else and would only be La if referring to yourself....

Please advise per my screen shot above... 

Thank you in advance

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Ben,

This question comes up a lot , it is just an characteristic of the French language.

I can assure you that the correct answer is 'la' .

Take a look at the Kwiziq lesson highlighted by Chris and here are a few examples -

Il ferme les yeux = He closes his eyes

Elle se brosse les dents She is cleaning her teeth

Vous levez la tête = You raise your head

Croisons les bras! = Let's cross our arms!

There's no rhyme or reason, it's just how it is.

Hope this helps!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Your screen shot didn't come through.

Ben A.C1Kwiziq community member

It’s unfortunate the screen shot did not come through, let’s see...

1. Il mange avec ——— bouche ouverte. He eats with his mouth open. Hint: bouche is feminine. 

Sa 

La

Une 

Son

These are the choices given. So per my question above, my understanding is that the correct answer is Sa and not La as we are referring to someone else. Not that this is that important, but my understanding is that when referring to oneself we would use La and when referring to someone else, specifically His/Her, we would use Sa..... 

Thanks so much....

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

There is no doubt to whose bodypart you are referring, hence no posessive in French. For instance:

Elle a pris ma main. -- She took my hand.

Elle a fermé la bouche. -- She closed her mouth.

If you used la main instead, there would be a lingering doubt whether she took her hand or mine. In the second sentence there's no doubt as to whose mouth you are talking, hence la.

Ben A.C1Kwiziq community member

I remain confused... His mouth is then La bouche?!? Why? Strange.....

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

This is the lesson for this topic: Using le, la, les with body parts and clothing (definite articles)

Have you read it yet?

Help with a question?

Can someone please tell me why HIS in question one is La and not Sa? I have contacted two French teachers who both say the answer to this question is Sa referring to someone else and would only be La if referring to yourself....

Please advise per my screen shot above... 

Thank you in advance

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