Inklingo
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propias

/PROH-pee-ahs/

own

A child carefully holding a brightly colored, unique toy car in both hands, emphasizing their personal possession of the item.

A child holding their toy car illustrates possession, translating 'propias' as 'own'.

propias(Adjective)

fA2

own

?

to emphasize possession

,

personal

?

private or individual

Also:

very own

?

strong emphasis

📝 In Action

Necesitamos usar nuestras propias herramientas.

A2

We need to use our own tools.

Las niñas tienen sus propias habitaciones.

A2

The girls have their own rooms.

Esta es la opinión de ellas, sus ideas propias.

B1

This is their opinion, their very own ideas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • personales (personal)
  • exclusivas (exclusive)

Antonyms

  • ajenas (someone else's)

Common Collocations

  • por sus propias manos – by their own hands
  • sus propias vidas – their own lives

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

"Propias" is the feminine plural form. Make sure the noun it describes is also feminine and plural (e.g., 'ideas', 'manos', 'cosas').

Adding Emphasis

This word is often used right after a possessive word (like 'mis', 'sus', 'nuestras') to really stress the idea of ownership: 'mis propias cosas' (my own things).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: "Hicieron sus propios casas. (Incorrect, 'casas' is feminine)"

Correction: Hicieron sus propias casas. ('propias' matches the feminine plural noun 'casas').

⭐ Usage Tips

Placement

While 'propio/a' can sometimes go before the noun, it is most common and emphatic to place it after the possessive adjective and before the noun, or directly after the noun.

A group of three identical red apples, each possessing a single, distinct green leaf attached to its stem, representing a typical shared attribute.

The green leaf is a characteristic feature of all the apples, illustrating 'propias' as 'characteristic' or 'typical'.

propias(Adjective)

fB1

characteristic

?

typical of a group or type

,

typical

?

representative of a class

Also:

suitable

?

appropriate for the situation

,

inherent

?

existing as a permanent attribute

📝 In Action

Las dificultades propias de la vida universitaria.

B1

The difficulties characteristic of university life.

Estas son las costumbres propias de las zonas rurales.

B2

These are the customs typical of rural areas.

Buscamos soluciones propias para los problemas locales.

B2

We are looking for suitable (or unique) solutions for the local problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • típicas (typical)
  • adecuadas (suitable)

Antonyms

  • inusuales (unusual)

Common Collocations

  • cualidades propias – inherent qualities
  • circunstancias propias – specific circumstances

💡 Grammar Points

Describing Nature

When 'propias' means 'characteristic,' it usually follows the noun and acts like a fixed trait. It describes the very essence of the thing.

Context is Key

The context tells you if 'propias' means 'their own' (possession) or 'typical/suitable' (description). If it follows a noun like 'dificultades' or 'características,' it usually means 'characteristic of'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: propias

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'propias' to mean 'characteristic or typical'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I sometimes see 'propia' before the noun and sometimes after?

When 'propia/s' is placed before the noun (e.g., 'su propia casa'), it often carries a stronger emotional or emphatic tone, like 'her very own house.' When placed after the noun (e.g., 'costumbres propias'), it usually means 'characteristic' or 'suitable,' acting as a simple descriptor.

Is 'propias' related to 'propiedad' (property)?

Yes, they come from the same Latin root! Both relate to the idea of something belonging exclusively to someone or something. 'Propiedad' is the noun form of the concept of 'ownness'.