What is himself? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of himself

himselfpronoun

/hɪmˈsɛlf/
Definition & pronunciation of himself

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "himself." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a more conversational explanation:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

ˈhɪmˈsɛlf

Let's look at each part:

  • ˈhɪm: This is the core of the word.
    • ˈhɪm: The "h" is silent. It's a common point of confusion. The "i" is pronounced like the "ee" in "see."
  • ˈsɛlf: This is the tricky part.
    • ˈsɛlf: The "e" is pronounced like the "e" in "bed." The "l" is a dark L, meaning it’s pronounced with a bit more tongue contact in the middle of your mouth. It’s not the light "l" like in "light."

2. A More Conversational Explanation:

Here's how you can say it, broken down into syllables:

  • him: Say "him" as you would when referring to a person. It's a short, quick "him."
  • self: Now, for "self." This is where the trickiness lies. Think of it as "self" with a slightly emphasized "e" (as in "bed"). The final "l" should be a darker, more resonant "l" than you'd use in other words.

Putting it together:

Aim for a smooth connection between "him" and "self." It shouldn't feel choppy. The stressed syllable is "him."

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • The Silent "h": Most people drop the "h" in "himself" when speaking quickly. It’s perfectly acceptable in casual speech.
  • Light "L": Avoid pronouncing the "l" too light, like in "light." The darker "l" is crucial for the correct pronunciation.
  • Emphasis: The stress is on the first syllable ("him").

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce himself" on Google. You'll see audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/himself/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce himself" – you'll find many videos.

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

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What specifically do you find difficult about the pronunciation? (e.g., the 'l', the 'h', the overall flow)?

Usage and examples with the word himself in English

The word "himself" is a reflexive pronoun. It indicates that the subject of a sentence is both performing and receiving the action of the verb. It adds a sense of self-awareness, accomplishment, or sometimes even arrogance to the sentence. Here’s a breakdown of how to use it effectively, with examples:

1. Reflexive Pronouns – The Basics

  • Reflexive Pronouns: These pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence. Common reflexive pronouns include: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

  • Why Use Them? They show that the subject is acting upon themselves. Without them, the sentence might sound awkward or incomplete.

2. How to Use "Himself"

“Himself” is used when the male subject (he) is doing something to himself.

  • Performing an Action: He did it himself.
  • Receiving an Action: He hurt himself.
  • Both: He built the boat himself and sailed it himself.

3. Examples

  • Simple Example (Performing): “He fixed the car himself.” (He did the fixing.)
  • Simple Example (Receiving): “He hurt himself playing football.” (He received the injury.)
  • Combined (Both): “He painted the house himself and then cleaned it himself.” (He performed both actions.)
  • Adding Emphasis/Self-Importance: “He finally learned to play the guitar himself after years of struggling.” (Highlights his perseverance.)
  • Showing Responsibility: “He took responsibility for his mistakes himself.” (Emphasizes that he was the one who took action.)
  • Forming a Complex Clause: “He realized that he had to learn to defend himself himself” (a slightly more complicated example to show how it can fit into longer sentences).

4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Don't overuse “himself.” It can sound pretentious or overly dramatic if used too frequently. Sometimes, simply removing the word is fine and doesn't change the meaning.

  • Incorrect Use (Not Reflexive): Don't say: "He hurt himself the doctor." This is incorrect. "Himself" refers back to "he."

  • Incorrect Use (Adding Unnecessary Information): Don't say: “He ate the apple himself and then enjoyed it.” (Redundant – “and then enjoyed it” already implies he ate it). Just say “He ate the apple himself.”

5. Distinguish from "He"

"Himself" isn't the same as "he." "He" is a pronoun standing alone. “Himself” refers back to “he.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me tailor the explanation further, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble understanding a specific sentence where you're considering using "himself"?
  • Do you want more examples in a particular context (e.g., formal writing, casual conversation)?

Synonyms for the word himself

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