German Conversation · Level 17
88 words
German word
selbst
Pronunciation
IPA/zɛlpst/
Meaning
- adverbmyself
Example
Ich mache das selbst.
I do that myself.
More examples
Sie hat den Kuchen selbst gebacken.
She baked the cake herself.
Core concept
Attention returns to the actor or item at the center rather than to outside help or alternatives.
Common phrases
selbst machen
do it yourself
etwas selbst kaufen
buy something yourself
Similar words
selber: An informal way to emphasize doing something through one's own efforts.
Definition in German
Ohne Hilfe von anderen etwas tun; aus eigener Kraft handeln.
Word origin
The form selbst is an inherited Germanic word whose history is closely connected with the word self in English.
Usage tips
- Selber is a common colloquial variant of selbst, while selbst works in both spoken and formal German.
Other meanings
- oneselfpronoun
- evenadverb
- personallyadverb
Opposites
- gemeinsamtogetheradverb
Related words
- selbstständigindependentadjective
- Selbstbewusstseinself-confidencenoun