German - English (British) translations for "selbst"
"selbst" German translation
Translation
self
Definition
Selbst is a German adverb that translates to 'self' or 'oneself' in English. It is used to emphasize that the subject of the sentence is performing an action on their own, without any external help or influence.
Part of speech
adverb
Translations
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.Meaning: even
Ich kann das selbst machen.
I can do it myself.
Meaning: self
Er hat sich selbst verletzt.
He injured himself.
Meaning: same
Sie haben selbst das gleiche Auto.
They themselves have the same car.
Meaning: personally
Ich habe ihn selbst gesehen.
I saw him personally.
Examples
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.A1: Ich habe das selbst gemacht.
A1: I did it myself.
A1: Er hat sich selbst verletzt.
A1: He hurt himself.
A1: Sie kann es selbst machen.
A1: She can do it herself.
B1: Ich werde es selbst erledigen.
B1: I will take care of it myself.
B1: Wir haben uns selbst übertroffen.
B1: We have surpassed ourselves.
B1: Du hättest es selbst sehen müssen.
B1: You should have seen it for yourself.
C1: Selbst wenn ich es gewusst hätte, hätte ich nichts sagen können.
C1: Even if I had known, I wouldn't have been able to say anything.
C1: Er hat sich selbst ein Bein gestellt, als er die Wahrheit verschwiegen hat.
C1: He shot himself in the foot when he kept silent about the truth.
C2: Selbstverständlich bin ich bereit, Ihnen zu helfen.
C2: Of course, I am willing to help you.
Advanced Description
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.In German, selbst is often used to add emphasis to a sentence. For example, 'Ich habe das selbst gemacht' translates to 'I did it myself.' The use of selbst emphasizes that the speaker performed the action independently and without assistance.
Selbst can also be used reflexively in German. For instance, 'Er hat sich selbst verletzt' means 'He injured himself.' In this context, selbst emphasizes that the subject was both the performer and recipient of the action.
It is important to note that selbst can have different meanings depending on its placement within a sentence. When used as a pronoun, it can mean 'even,' as in 'Selbst ich weiß das nicht' (Even I don't know that). Additionally, when used with certain prepositions such as mit (with) or ohne (without), it can take on a possessive meaning, such as 'mit meinem eigenen Auto' (with my own car).