Itself
Definition
Itself is a pronoun used to refer back to a previously mentioned thing or animal, emphasizing that it is distinct or self-contained. It can also be used for emphasis in expressions.
Parts of Speech
- Pronoun
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɪtˈsɛlf/
- Respelling: it-SELF
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɪtˈsɛlf/
- Respelling: it-SELF
Etymology
The word "itself" originates from Middle English, formed as a combination of "it," a third-person singular pronoun, and "self," indicating individuality or reflexiveness. The structure reflects a Germanic origin and parallels other reflexive pronouns such as "himself" and "herself."
Derivatives
- Self (noun)
- It (pronoun)
- Self-contained (adjective, related)
- Itselfness (noun, rare)
- Reflexive (adjective, related)
Synonyms
- Alone
- On its own
- It
Antonyms
- None
Usage
The pronoun "itself" is commonly used for reflexivity and emphasis. For example, "The machine repaired itself" implies self-action, while "The journey is an adventure in itself" adds emphasis to the experience.
Related Terms
- Reflexive Pronoun: A pronoun that refers back to the subject of a sentence.
- Self: A concept of individuality or identity.
- Autonomous: Acting independently or self-sufficiently.
Detailed Definitions
Pronoun
- Referring to a thing or animal previously mentioned: Indicates reflexive action or distinction.
- Example: "The dog scratched itself to stop the itching."
- Used for emphasis to indicate something is inherently significant: Highlights the importance of the subject alone.
- Example: "The book itself is a masterpiece."
- Self-contained or self-referential: Describes something as independent or autonomous.
- Example: "The system is capable of running by itself."
itself
The dog scratched itself to stop the itching.
The book itself is a masterpiece.
The system is capable of running by itself.
🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese
- 自己 (zìjǐ)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tsɹ̩̂.tɕǐ/
- English Respell: Dzuh-jee
- 本身 (běnshēn)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pən.ʂə́n/
- English Respell: Bun-shun
🇮🇳 Hindi
- खुद (khud)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʰʊd̪/
- English Respell: Khud
- स्वयं (svayam)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sʋə.jəm/
- English Respell: Suh-vuh-yum
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Sí mismo
- IPA Pronunciation: /si 'mismo/
- English Respell: See mees-moh
- En sí
- IPA Pronunciation: /en si/
- English Respell: En see
🇫🇷 French
- Soi-même
- IPA Pronunciation: /swa.mem/
- English Respell: Swah-mem
- Lui-même
- IPA Pronunciation: /lɥi.mɛm/
- English Respell: Lwee-mem
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- نفسه (nafsih)
- IPA Pronunciation: /nafsuh/
- English Respell: Naf-suh
- ذاته (dhaath)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ðaːt/
- English Respell: Dhaa-th
🇧🇩 Bengali
- নিজে (nije)
- IPA Pronunciation: /nid͡ʒe/
- English Respell: Nij-e
- স্বয়ং (sbayam̐)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sbojɔm/
- English Respell: Sboy-om
🇷🇺 Russian
- Себя (sebya)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsʲebʲə/
- English Respell: Syeh-byuh
- Само (samo)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsamə/
- English Respell: Sah-muh
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Si mesmo
- IPA Pronunciation: /si 'meʃmu/
- English Respell: See mesh-moo
- Em si
- IPA Pronunciation: /ẽj si/
- English Respell: Eng see
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Sendiri
- IPA Pronunciation: /sən'diri/
- English Respell: Sen-dee-ree
- Itu sendiri
- IPA Pronunciation: /itu sən'diri/
- English Respell: Ee-too sen-dee-ree
🇩🇪 German
- Selbst
- IPA Pronunciation: /zɛlbst/
- English Respell: Zehlbst
- Sich selbst
- IPA Pronunciation: /zɪç ˈzɛlbst/
- English Respell: Zich zehlbst
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 自身 (jishin)
- IPA Pronunciation: /d͡ʑiɕiɴ/
- English Respell: Jee-sheen
- 自体 (jitai)
- IPA Pronunciation: /d͡ʑitai̯/
- English Respell: Jee-tai
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Chính nó
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂǐŋ˧ˀ˨ʔ no˧˧/
- English Respell: Ching no
- Nó thân
- IPA Pronunciation: /no˧˧ tʰaːn˧˧/
- English Respell: No than
🇰🇷 Korean
- 자체 (jache)
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕa.tʰʌ/
- English Respell: Jah-chuh
- 그 자신 (geu jasin)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɯ t͡ɕa.ɕin/
- English Respell: Goo Jah-sheen
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Kendisi
- IPA Pronunciation: /ken'diːsi/
- English Respell: Ken-dee-see
- Kendi
- IPA Pronunciation: /ken'diː/
- English Respell: Ken-dee
🇵🇰 Urdu
- خود (khud)
- IPA Pronunciation: /xʊd̪/
- English Respell: Khud
- اپنی (apni)
- IPA Pronunciation: /əp.ni/
- English Respell: Up-nee
