POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES and POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS are usually compound forms which include a definite article that cannot be translated into English.
The forms of the possessive adjective are: MascMasc.Fem.Fem. singularpluralsingularplural il mioi mieila miale mie il tuoi tuoila tuale tue il suoi suoila suale sue il nostro i nostrila nostra le nostre il vostroi vostrila vostrale vostre il loroi lorola lorole loro
possessives agree in gender and number with the thing possessed, rather than with the possessor: i miei amici = my friends la loro automobile = their car
If ambiguity results from the use of possessives, possession may be expressed by means of "di" with a disjunctive pronoun: la sua valigia = his/her/ your suitcase la valigia di lui= his suitcase
If the possessor is also the subject of the sentence, "proprio" may be used. Giovanni porta la propria valigia (John carries his own suitcase)
"Proprio" MUST be used after impersonal expressions: Bisogna portare le proprie valige (One must carry one's own pieces of luggage.)
When referring to articles of clothing and parts of the body, the definite article is regularly used instead of the possessive adjective: le scarpe = her shoes la testa = his head