What is myself? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of myself

myselfpronoun

/mʌɪˈsɛlf//mɪˈsɛlf/
Definition & pronunciation of myself

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "myself" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound: /məˈself/

  • "my": This part is pretty straightforward. Pronounce it like "my" in "mine." It's a short, quick "mih" sound.
  • "self": This is the challenging part. It's not pronounced "self" like in "selfish."

2. Breaking Down "self"

  • /ˈself/: This is the key. Think of it as a slightly elongated "self" sound, almost like a very brief, whispered "self."
  • The 's' sound: The 's' in "self" is a blend. It’s not a clear "s" sound. It’s part of a diphthong (a sound made by combining two vowel sounds).
  • The 'i' sound: You're essentially saying a very short "ee" sound followed by a very short "l" sound. It's like saying "self" very quickly, with the 'e' sound almost disappearing into the 'l'.

3. Putting it Together (The Full Word)

  • "myself": Say "my" quickly, then immediately follow it with that very short, whispered "self" sound. It should flow together.

Here's how it sounds (using phonetic transcriptions):

  • mih-ˈself (This is a simplified way to help you.)

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/myself/ – This website has native speakers pronouncing the word.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce myself" – You'll find numerous videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow Down: Initially, say "my" and "self" separately, and then very slowly combine them.
  • Focus on the 'self' sound: Really pay attention to that blend of 's' and 'i' sound.
  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers pronounce it.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you a few example sentences using "myself"?
  • Focus on a specific part of the pronunciation (e.g., just the 'self' part)?

Usage and examples with the word myself in English

Let's break down how to use "myself" correctly in English. It's a tricky little word because it's a reflexive pronoun, meaning it refers back to the subject of the sentence. Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. As a Reflexive Pronoun (Most Common Use)

  • Meaning: "Myself" is used when the subject of a sentence also performs the action of the verb. It’s about something being done to oneself.

  • Formula: Subject + Verb + (myself)

  • Examples:

    • I made my own cake. (I did the making - I'm the subject and doer.)
    • She hurt herself playing soccer. (She caused the injury - she’s both the subject and the one hurt.)
    • We helped ourselves to some cookies. (We did the eating - we are the subjects.)
    • He introduced himself to the new students. (He did the introducing - he's the subject.)
    • They washed themselves after the swim. (They did the washing - they're the subjects.)

2. As a Pronoun to Indicate Presence (Less Common, but Important)

  • Meaning: "Myself" is used to include yourself when you're talking about something you're also involved in. It emphasizes that you are part of the action or situation.

  • Formula: Subject + Verb + myself + (and often others)

  • Examples:

    • “Can you help me?” “Yes, I can help myself too.” (You're saying you're also willing to help.)
    • “Are you coming to the party?” “Yes, I’ll be there myself.” (You're indicating that you will be present.)
    • “Did you finish the report?” “Yes, I finished it myself.” (You’re stating you completed the task.)
    • "I spoke to her yesterday myself." (Meaning: I spoke to her, not someone else.)

3. Using "Myself" with "Let"

  • "Let" often requires the reflexive pronoun "myself" when followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
  • Example: "Let myself in." (Meaning: "I'll open the door.") "Let yourself in." (Meaning: "You will open the door.") "Let himself in." (Meaning: "He will open the door.")

Key Differences & Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Don’t use “myself” when it’s not reflexive. This is the most common error. You don’t use "myself" to describe someone else.

    • Incorrect: “I told myself to go to the store.” (This means you told yourself...but it's awkward. A better way to phrase it would be: “I told myself that I should go to the store.”)
    • Correct: “I told him to go to the store.”

  • “Myself” vs. “Me”: This is a frequent point of confusion!

    • "Me" is an object pronoun. It receives the action of the verb. (e.g., "He gave me a book.")
    • "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the subject. (e.g., “I did it myself.”)

Here’s a quick way to remember:

  • Reflexive: If the subject is doing the action to themselves, use "myself."
  • Presence: If you want to explicitly include yourself in a situation, use "myself."

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are there any specific sentences you're struggling with using "myself"?
  • Are you mostly confused about the reflexive use, or the use to indicate presence?

Synonyms for the word myself

Idioms of the word myself

(all) by myself
alone; without anyone else
  • I live by myself.
without help
  • I painted the room all by myself.
(all) to myself
for the speaker or writer alone to have or use; not shared
  • I had a whole pizza to myself.

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