Using possessive pronouns for body parts

A G.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Using possessive pronouns for body parts

Fue una sensación horrible porque no sentía mi pierna.

This is not the focus of the lesson, but in the above example I would have expected to see “la pierna.” Is “mi” more common with this particular body part, or is it just adding some kind of emphasis here?

This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Verbs ver, oír, escuchar, oler, sentir, encontrar in the imperfect"

Asked 4 years ago

Like1Answer1

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola A

It's true that we generally use the definite article when we refer to parts of our own body so this could be "porque no sentía la pierna" - the use of the possessive here is simply a way to emphasise it as you say and making the sentence slightly more dramatic.

Inma

Like34 years ago

A G. asked: