Beside Oneself
Significado: Overwhelmed with emotion, unable to control feelings
This evocative phrase captures the sense of being so overcome with emotion—whether grief, joy, or anger—that you feel disconnected from your normal self. It's as if your emotional state has pushed 'you' outside your body, leaving a version of yourself that can't function normally.
Significado literal: Standing next to yourself, as if split in two
Ejemplos
- She was beside herself with worry when he didn't come home. 他没回家时，她急得不得了estaba fuera de sí de preocupación cuando él no volvió a casa彼が帰ってこなかったとき、彼女は心配で取り乱していた그가 집에 오지 않자 그녀는 걱정으로 제정신이 아니었다.
- He was beside himself with joy when he heard the news. 听到这个消息他高兴得不得了estaba fuera de sí de alegría cuando oyó la noticiaその知らせを聞いて彼は喜びで我を忘れた그 소식을 듣고 그는 기쁨에 겨워 어쩔 줄 몰랐다.
- The parents were beside themselves with grief. 父母悲痛欲绝los padres estaban fuera de sí de dolor両親は悲しみで取り乱していた부모님은 슬픔으로 넋이 나간 상태였다.
- I was beside myself trying to find my passport.找护照时我急得团团转estaba desesperado intentando encontrar mi pasaporteパスポートを探して取り乱していた여권을 찾느라 나는 정신이 하나도 없었다.
Pronunciación
/bɪˈsaɪd wʌnˈself/
Guía de uso
Contexto: grief, worry, joy, anger
Tono: dramatic, emphatic
✓ Correcto
- She was beside herself with worry.她急得不得了estaba fuera de sí de preocupación彼女は心配で取り乱していた기쁨에 겨워 어쩔 줄 모르고
- I was beside myself when I heard.我听到时完全失控了estaba fuera de mí cuando lo oí聞いたとき取り乱した슬픔에 빠져 넋을 잃고
- They were beside themselves.他们完全失控了estaban fuera de sí彼らは取り乱していた슬픔에 빠져 넋을 잃고
✗ Incorrecto
- Always specify the emotion: 'beside herself with grief'要始终说明是什么情绪：'beside herself with grief（悲痛欲绝）'Siempre especifica la emoción: 'beside herself with grief' (fuera de sí de dolor)常に感情を明示すること：「beside herself with grief（悲しみで取り乱して）」'outside oneself'라고는 말하지 않음
- Don't use for mild emotions不要用于轻微的情绪No usar para emociones leves軽い感情には使わない'outside oneself'라고는 말하지 않음
Errores comunes
- Requires 'with' plus the emotion
- Not just 'beside myself' alone—needs context
Origen e historia
This phrase dates back to at least the 14th century and appears in the King James Bible. The concept reflects ancient beliefs that strong emotions could cause the soul to temporarily leave the body. The imagery of standing 'beside' yourself captures the dissociative feeling of extreme emotional states.
Etimología: From Old English, possibly influenced by Latin 'extra se' (outside oneself)
Primera vez registrado: 14th century Middle English
Contexto cultural
Era: 14th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal, slightly literary
Pop culture: Common in literature and drama; Frequent in news reporting on tragedies
Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries. Considered somewhat formal or literary.
Variaciones
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