Bringing things with you (с собой)

Bringing Things "With You": с собой

In English, pronouns change depending on the subject: "I brought it with me," or "She took it with her."

In Russian, you use the reflexive pronoun себя (oneself) for all subjects. Paired with the preposition с (with), it takes the Instrumental case to become с собой.

Are you taking the pass with you to the fitness club?
Ты берёшь абонемент с собой в фитнес-клуб?

Packing for the Gym

You will frequently see с собой paired with verbs like брать / взять (to take) and носить (to carry). It is also commonly used with у меня есть (I have) to ask if someone has an item on them right now.

Do you always take a hair dryer with you to the pool?
Ты всегда берёшь с собой фен в бассейн?

You can also use this construction to explain why you don't have an item with you, often pairing it with a verb like оставлять (to leave).

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