How do you use "themselves" in a sentence?

The children dressed themselves this morning. They themselves were surprised by the results. The problems won't solve themselves.

themselves

Q: What does "themselves" mean?

Used to refer back to a plural subject; used for emphasis Themselves is a reflexive pronoun used when a plural subject and object are the same people. It is also used for emphasis ('they themselves admitted it'). 'By themselves' means alone or without help. Increasingly, 'themselves' is also used as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Used to refer back to a plural subject; used for emphasis

他们自己

ellos mismos, se

彼ら自身

그들 자신

Themselves is a reflexive pronoun used when a plural subject and object are the same people. It is also used for emphasis ('they themselves admitted it'). 'By themselves' means alone or without help. Increasingly, 'themselves' is also used as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Themselves是一个反身代词，当复数主语和宾语是同一批人时使用。它也用于强调（'they themselves admitted it' 他们自己承认的）。'By themselves'意味着独自或没有帮助。现在，'themselves'也越来越多地被用作单数性别中性代词。

Themselves es un pronombre reflexivo que se usa cuando un sujeto plural y un objeto son las mismas personas. También se usa para énfasis ('they themselves admitted it'). 'By themselves' significa solos o sin ayuda. Cada vez más, 'themselves' también se usa como pronombre singular de género neutro.

Themselvesは、複数の主語と目的語が同じ人々である場合に使用される再帰代名詞です。また、強調にも使用されます（「they themselves admitted it」彼ら自身がそれを認めた）。「By themselves」は一人で、または助けなしでという意味です。現在では、「themselves」は単数のジェンダーニュートラルな代名詞としても使用されるようになっています。

Themselves는 복수 주어와 목적어가 같은 사람일 때 사용하는 재귀 대명사입니다. 강조 용법으로도 사용됩니다('they themselves admitted it'). 'By themselves'는 혼자서 또는 도움 없이라는 뜻입니다. 최근에는 성별 중립적 단수 대명사로도 점점 더 많이 사용됩니다.

Examples

The children dressed themselves this morning.
孩子们今天早上自己穿好了衣服。
Los niños se vistieron solos esta mañana.
子供たちは今朝自分で服を着ました。
아이들은 오늘 아침 스스로 옷을 입었습니다.
They themselves were surprised by the results.
他们自己也对结果感到惊讶。
Ellos mismos se sorprendieron por los resultados.
彼ら自身も結果に驚いていました。
그들 자신도 그 결과에 놀랐습니다.
The problems won't solve themselves.
问题不会自己解决。
Los problemas no se resolverán solos.
問題は自然に解決するわけではありません。
문제는 저절로 해결되지 않습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'hem selfum', combining the plural object pronoun with 'self'. Modern use as a singular gender-neutral pronoun (e.g. 'everyone should help themselves') has roots going back centuries.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal