"Reliquia" by Rosalía uses definite articles and possessive adjectives

Kaitlin C.A1KwizIQ community member

"Reliquia" by Rosalía uses definite articles and possessive adjectives

Rosalía uses a mix of definite articles and possessive adjectives in "Reliquia". Is this artistic choice? Or a grammar point I'm missing? 

Some of the lyrics: 

"Yo que perdí mis manos en Jerez, y mis ojos en Roma 

... 

los heels en Milán, la sonrisa en U.K"

Asked 2 weeks ago
SilviaKwizIQ Native Spanish TeacherCorrect answer

Hola Kaitlin C.

Good observation. In Spanish, body parts are often used with the definite article when it's already clear who they belong to (me duelen las manos, se lavó los ojos). However, possessive adjectives are also possible when the speaker wants to emphasize possession or for stylistic effect.

In these lyrics, Rosalía alternates between mis manos, mis ojos and la sonrisa as an artistic choice. Using la sonrisa instead of mi sonrisa doesn't change the meaning, because it's already understood that she's referring to her own smile.

So the song isn't breaking the grammar rule, it's making use of two natural ways of expressing possession in Spanish.

Saludos

Silvia

Kaitlin C. asked:

"Reliquia" by Rosalía uses definite articles and possessive adjectives

Rosalía uses a mix of definite articles and possessive adjectives in "Reliquia". Is this artistic choice? Or a grammar point I'm missing? 

Some of the lyrics: 

"Yo que perdí mis manos en Jerez, y mis ojos en Roma 

... 

los heels en Milán, la sonrisa en U.K"

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

And get your personalised Study Plan to improve it

Find your Spanish level
Clever stuff happening!