What is herself? Pronunciation and usage in English

herself means . Learn how to pronounce and use herself through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of herself

herselfpronoun

/həːˈsɛlf/
Definition & pronunciation of herself

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "herself" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • her: Pronounced like "h-er" – very similar to the word "her" as in “her book.”
  • self: Pronounced like "self" – as in the word "selfish."

2. The Combination - The Key is the "s"

This is where it gets tricky. The 's' in "herself" doesn’t have a standard “s” sound like in "sun." Instead, it's a voiceless postalveolar fricative. Let's break that down further:

  • Voiceless: This means your vocal cords don't vibrate when you say it.
  • Postalveolar: This refers to the placement of your tongue – it’s just behind your alveolar ridge (the bumpy part behind your teeth).
  • Fricative: This means the air is forced through a narrow channel, creating a hissing or friction sound.

3. How to Mimic the Sound (Approaches):

Here are a few ways to try and get it right:

  • The "th" approach: Many people find it easiest to think of it as a very soft, quick “th” sound, almost like the “th” in “thin” but much lighter and quicker. You're not making a full "th" sound, just a brief, subtle "th" feeling.

  • The “f” approach: Some speakers try to approximate it with an "f" sound, but it should still be very subtle and not a full "f."

  • The “s” with a tap: Think of a very light “s” sound that’s almost like you’re tapping your tongue lightly behind your teeth.

4. Putting It All Together - The Rhythm and Stress

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable: her-self.
  • Rhythm: Say "her" quickly, and then blend in the "self" sound smoothly. It shouldn't be two separate words.

5. Listen to Examples:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/herself/ – This website has native speakers pronouncing the word. Listen to several different voices to get a good feel for it.
  • YouTube: Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce 'herself' English" – you'll find many video tutorials.

6. Practice!

The best way to learn is to practice repeatedly. Record yourself saying it and compare it to native speakers.

In short, aim for a very quick, subtle "th" or "f" sound blended smoothly with the "self" sound, with the emphasis on “her”.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some more specific tips?
  • Break down the sound further (e.g., describing tongue placement)?

Usage and examples with the word herself in English

Let's break down how to use "herself" correctly in English. It's a tricky pronoun because it can be a bit confusing, but once you understand the rules, it becomes quite straightforward.

What is "herself"?

"Herself" is a reflexive pronoun. This means it refers back to a female noun (or pronoun) and is used when the female subject performs the action of the verb and receives the action of the verb. Essentially, it indicates that a woman is doing something to or for herself.

Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Reflexive Verbs - The Core Rule

  • Reflexive verbs are verbs that describe an action that a subject performs on themselves. This is where "herself" comes in.

    • Example: “She washed herself.” (She washed herself - She is the one doing the washing, and she’s the one being washed.)
    • Example: “He decorated himself.” (He decorated himself - He’s doing it, and he’s the one being decorated.) Notice we can use “himself” for a male subject.

2. Using "Herself" with Female Subjects:

  • When the subject is a female, you must use "herself."

    • Example: “She cooked herself dinner.” (She cooked it for herself – she’s the one doing the cooking.)
    • Example: “The actress praised herself.” (The actress praised herself – she’s the one doing the praising.)
    • Example: “My daughter made herself a sandwich.” (She made it for herself.)

3. Important Distinctions – When NOT to use "herself":

  • Passive Voice: If the sentence is in the passive voice, do not use "herself." The subject receives the action, not performs it.

    • Incorrect: “The cake was eaten by herself.”
    • Correct: “The cake was eaten by her.” (Here, “her” refers to the person who ate the cake.)

  • Direct Object: If "herself" is part of the direct object, don't use it.

    • Incorrect: “She cut herself.” (This implies she cut something else and accidentally injured herself.)
    • Correct: “She cut herself.” (She deliberately cut her own body.)

4. Combining with Other Pronouns

  • You can often combine “herself” with other pronouns.

    • Example: “She told herself that she would succeed.” (She is telling herself something about herself.)

5. Summary Table

Scenario Use "herself"? Example
Female subject doing an action to/for herself Yes She painted herself red.
Passive voice No The window was broken by her.
"Herself" is a direct object No She saw herself in the mirror.

Tips for Remembering:

  • Think about the action: Does the person performing the action also receive it? If so, “herself” is likely correct.
  • Read the sentence aloud: Sometimes, hearing the sentence can help you identify the correct pronoun.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific scenario where you're unsure about using "herself"?
  • Provide some practice sentences for you to try?

Synonyms for the word herself

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