"The dog drinks its water."

Translation: O cachorro bebe sua água.

[shawnccole]

Confused. The dog drinks its water. "Its" refers to the dog, a male word. Why is it not O cachorro bebe seu água?

[djeidot]

The choice between "seu" and "sua" depends on the object, not on the subject. In this case it depends on the gender of "água" (which is feminine) rather than the gender of "cão".

[melodynava]

I don't understand when to use sua, tua, or teus

[Barznl]

one of them is male other is female depending on what is the object. but i do not know neither which is what?

[dejongbrent]

Most Brazilian Portuguese speakers would probably say "O cachorro bebe a água dele"

[djeidot]

most European Portuguese speakers as well.

[Meromorphic]

Is that because in Brazilian Portuguese the interpretation "The dog drinks your water" would be preferred, absent further context?

[dejongbrent]

Based on what I've seen of Brazilian Portuguese, yes. I must admit, however, that my exposure has been limited, but not as limited as a Duolingo-type exposure.

[ltcontreras]

This was my first guess too.

[enrique.ri10]

Why cannot it be : o cachorro bebe a sua água?

[djeidot]

It can. That is correct.

[JesusJ.Men]

Is it completely optional to use the article before the possessive pronoun.

[Claudia936294]

Why isn't it 'a' sua água like the previous question?

[ZeeMazhani]

Why is there no distinction between sua/seu and tua/teu? Duo takes them to all mean your when I'd have thought sua/seu is his or her. Now I'm shocked in this case sua is its

[Joosh1337]

According to the lesson, they seem to be interchangeable depending on culture

[Pepin98311]

When does teus get used instead of seus?

[Joosh1337]

According to the lesson, they seem to be interchangeable depending on culture

[Katie320784]

Teus/tuas depends on region but it also strictly means "your", where as "seus" can mean "your/his/hers/their"

[Hadildahia]

Whats the diff between seu and sua??

[Joosh1337]

I'm a bit rusty on Portuguese, but I believe it's the difference in feminine/masculine

[EbenApex]

I understand "sue" corresponds to masuline. So why try he change over here. I would need a clarification. Thanks

[Paulenrique]

água is feminine, so you have to use "sua".

[BrandonLeg13]

I understand seu/sua and seus/suas but there's no distinction between when to use as/os before suas/seus. Duo seems to pick at random. What is the distinction??

[mmdosullivan]

My answer: "O cachorro bebe tua água" was marked incorrect. Why is "tua"
not acceptable?. Is it not the feminine singular for "yours/its" in relation to "water"? Why is "sua" more correct? Very frustrated!!

[qscqzx]

Why can't it be " O cachorro bebe é água" ? That makes sense to me.

[Paulenrique]

é = is

[Jiji862572]

If it is correct for example: "Ele bebe o teu leite",
then why is it not "O cachorro bebe a sua água"?