yourself
/jɔːˈself/ (bre, ipa) · /jɔːrˈself/ (ame, ipa) · /yər-ˈself Southern also -ˈsef/ (ame, mw)
yourself — pronoun
1. the word used when you do something to yourself — for example, looking in a mirr
the word used when you do something to yourself — for example, looking in a mirror and seeing your face.
Be careful with that knife, Adina — you could cut yourself if you rush.
you + [physical action verb] + yourself
You should treat yourself to a nice dinner after finishing the project.
treat yourself — giving a reward
Did the manager ask you to introduce yourself to the rest of the sales team?
If you touch a hot pan on the stove, you will burn yourself badly.
Stop blaming yourself for the mistake — everyone makes errors at work.
文法句型
you + [verb] + yourself
you + [verb] + [preposition] + yourself
用法筆記
The reflexive form 'yourself' must be used when the object of the verb refers to the same person as the subject 'you'. Using 'you' instead ('You should treat you') is ungrammatical.
常見錯誤
2. placed next to 'you' or at the end of a sentence to stress that the person addre
placed next to 'you' or at the end of a sentence to stress that the person addressed — and nobody else — is the one involved or responsible.
You yourself told me the meeting was at two, not three.
you yourself + [verb of saying] — emphasis on speaker
If you do not trust the garage, you can fix the car yourself.
do [something] yourself — nobody else needed
Did you paint the entire kitchen yourself, Apinya?
The manager said you must solve the problem yourself, without calling IT.
You yourself admitted that the plan had serious problems from the start.
- personally
adverb, can replace emphatic 'yourself' in some contexts ('You personally handled it.')
- on your own
phrase version of the 'without help' nuance of emphatic 'yourself'
文法句型
you yourself + [verb]
you + [verb] + [object] + yourself
用法筆記
Distinguish from Sense 1: in the emphatic use, 'yourself' can be removed without changing the basic meaning (only the emphasis is lost). In the reflexive use, removing 'yourself' changes who receives the action. Example: 'You yourself said it' (emphatic — 'you said it' still works) vs. 'You hurt yourself' (reflexive — 'you hurt' would mean hurt someone else).
常見錯誤
3. to behave in a natural, relaxed way instead of pretending or trying to impress o
to behave in a natural, relaxed way instead of pretending or trying to impress others. Used in the fixed phrase 'be yourself'.
On your first day at school, just be yourself and greet people with a smile.
just be yourself — advice phrase
Before the job interview, just relax and be yourself — they want to meet the real you.
Stop trying to sound like someone else on the phone — be yourself.
A good job interview feels natural because you let yourself be yourself.
- act naturally
more general, not tied to a fixed expression; can apply to any situation
- be genuine
slightly more formal, emphasises honesty over relaxation
- pretend
to act in a way that is not your true character
- put on airs
informal phrase meaning to behave in a superior or artificial way
文法句型
be yourself
just be yourself
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'be yourself' or 'just be yourself'. The form changes to match the subject ('be myself', 'be himself', etc.). Cannot take an object — it is a complete predicate.
常見錯誤
4. either with no other person present near you, or without any assistance or suppo
either with no other person present near you, or without any assistance or support from other people.
Can you carry that heavy box by yourself, or should I help you?
by yourself — without help
Can you finish this puzzle by yourself, or do you need me to help you?
You cannot cook a meal for eight people all by yourself — let us help.
When you live by yourself, you learn to manage your own time.
Did you climb to the top of the hill by yourself, Hana?
- alone
adverb; emphasises solitude, not necessarily the absence of help
- on your own
interchangeable in most contexts; slightly more informal
- independently
formal; usually about work or decision-making rather than solitude
文法句型
(all) by yourself
用法筆記
The phrase 'all by yourself' adds emphasis — it can mean either completely alone or without any help at all. The same structure works for other persons ('by myself', 'by himself', etc.).
常見錯誤
5. kept aside or designated only for your personal benefit or use, not to be shared
kept aside or designated only for your personal benefit or use, not to be shared with others.
You can have the small bedroom for yourself while you stay with us.
have [something] for yourself — exclusive use
Keep one slice of cake for yourself and give the rest to the guests.
keep [something] for yourself
You should keep the party details to yourself until everyone arrives.
If you arrive early, you can grab a quiet table for yourself in the cafe.
- exclusively yours
formal, emphasises that something is not shared
- personal
adjective; describes something intended for one person's use
- shared
used or owned by more than one person
文法句型
for yourself
keep/have something for yourself
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 4 when 'by yourself' means 'without help'. The difference: 'for yourself' emphasises exclusive benefit or ownership, while 'by yourself' emphasises doing something alone or unaided.
6. to feel or appear different from your usual mood or energy level — less happy, l
to feel or appear different from your usual mood or energy level — less happy, less healthy, or less lively than normal.
You seem very quiet tonight, Tariq — are you not feeling yourself?
not feeling yourself — concerned question
I know something is wrong because you have not been yourself all week.
have not been yourself — period of change
Forgive my sharp words earlier, Lucas — I am not myself when I am tired.
Ever since you argued with your boss, you have not seemed yourself at all.
- off
informal, very common in conversation ('I feel off today.')
- out of sorts
slightly old-fashioned but still common in British English
- under the weather
informal idiom, usually about physical illness rather than mood
- fine
feeling normal and well
- back to normal
phrase meaning returned to your usual state
文法句型
[subject] + [be/seem/feel] + not + yourself
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the negative pattern (not/never yourself). The affirmative 'you are yourself' is used in a different sense (Sense 7 — asking about illness recovery) or in the 'act naturally' sense. Never say 'You are yourself today' when you simply mean 'You are fine.'
常見錯誤
7. used in questions to ask if someone has recovered from being sick or upset and f
used in questions to ask if someone has recovered from being sick or upset and feels normal again.
I heard you had a terrible flu — are you feeling yourself again now?
are you feeling yourself again? — recovery question
The fever broke last night, but do you feel yourself yet, Élise?
do you feel yourself yet? — checking recovery
After the surgery the doctor asked, 'Are you yourself today?'
You look much better this morning — do you feel yourself again?
- back to normal
the most common everyday substitute; works for both physical and mental state
- recovered
more formal, usually about physical health only
- still sick
continuing to be ill
文法句型
are you (feeling) yourself again?
do you feel yourself yet?
用法筆記
Distinguish from Sense 6: Sense 6 ('not yourself') describes an ongoing state of feeling off, while this sense asks about recovery toward normal after a specific illness. The question 'Are you yourself again?' is positive and hopeful, unlike the worried tone of 'Are you not feeling yourself?'
常見錯誤
8. used in statements about people in general, where 'you' stands for anyone and 'y
used in statements about people in general, where 'you' stands for anyone and 'yourself' reflects back to that general person, like saying 'oneself' in formal English.
In a new city, you can find yourself walking in circles for an hour.
find yourself + [doing] — general experience
When you are angry, you should not let yourself say things you regret.
let yourself + [verb] — general advice
You have to push yourself if you want to improve at any new skill.
In a difficult situation, you can teach yourself to stay calm.
If you always compare yourself to others, you will never be happy.
- oneself
formal equivalent, used in academic and formal writing
文法句型
you + [verb] + yourself (general meaning 'one + [verb] + oneself')
you should + [verb] + yourself
用法筆記
In formal writing, this general sense is often replaced by 'one... oneself' ('One should not let oneself say things one regrets'). In spoken English and informal writing, the 'you... yourself' pattern is standard. The meaning is impersonal — it applies to all people, not just the person being addressed in the moment.