Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ourselves'

English Word: ourselves

Key Russian Translations:

• себя /sʲeˈba/ - [Formal, Informal, Reflexive pronoun, Invariable]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday Russian speech and writing, especially in reflexive contexts).

Difficulty: A1 (beginner level, as it is a basic reflexive pronoun that English learners encounter early in Russian studies).

Pronunciation (Russian):

себя: /sʲeˈba/

Note on себя: The pronunciation features a palatalized 's' sound (/sʲ/), which can be challenging for non-native speakers. It remains consistent across contexts, with no major regional variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Reflexive pronoun meaning (refers to "we" as the object of a verb where the action reflects back on the subject)

Translation(s) & Context:

• себя - Used in sentences where the subject (e.g., "we") performs an action upon itself, common in self-reflection or emphasis in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мы обманываем себя. (We deceive ourselves in everyday situations.)

  We deceive ourselves.

• Мы должны уважать себя. (We must respect ourselves to maintain self-worth.)

  We must respect ourselves.

• Иногда мы подводим себя. (Sometimes we let ourselves down in challenging circumstances.)

  Sometimes we let ourselves down.

• Мы защищаем себя от проблем. (We protect ourselves from problems proactively.)

  We protect ourselves from problems.

• Мы учим себя новому языку. (We teach ourselves a new language through self-study.)

  We teach ourselves a new language.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "себя" is a reflexive pronoun in Russian and is invariable, meaning it does not change form based on case, number, gender, or person. Unlike many Russian nouns or adjectives, it remains constant in all contexts. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: самого (more emphatic, as in "ourselves" with added intensity); себя самого (a reinforced form for emphasis).
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "себя" is a reflexive pronoun and does not have direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• себя самого - A more emphatic way to say "ourselves," often used for self-reflection or importance; means "ourselves" with added emphasis in English contexts.
• заботиться о себе - Common phrase meaning "to take care of ourselves," used in health or personal development discussions.
• обманывать себя - Means "to deceive ourselves," frequently in psychological or self-deceptive scenarios.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "себя" directly corresponds to English reflexive pronouns like "ourselves" but is used more universally for all persons. It is unrestricted in terms of formality and can appear in both spoken and written language. When translating "ourselves," ensure the subject is first-person plural ("мы") to match context. Note that Russian often omits the subject pronoun if clear from context, so "себя" might stand alone in sentences. For multiple translations, choose "себя" for standard reflexive use and "себя самого" for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "себя" incorrectly with non-reflexive verbs, e.g., saying "Мы видим себя" to mean "We see us," but forgetting it implies self-reflection. Correct: "Мы видим себя в зеркале" (We see ourselves in the mirror). Explanation: English learners might confuse it with direct objects, but in Russian, it must truly reflect back on the subject.

• Error: Overusing emphatic forms like "себя самого" where simple "себя" suffices, e.g., saying "Мы любим себя самого" instead of "Мы любим себя." Correct: Use "себя самого" only for added emphasis. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly dramatic, as Russian prefers subtlety in everyday conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions involving "себя" often tie into themes of self-reflection and personal responsibility, influenced by historical literature like Dostoevsky's works. It underscores the value of introspection in Slavic traditions, where individuals are encouraged to "know themselves" for moral growth, differing from more collective Western approaches.

Related Concepts:

• мы (we - first-person plural pronoun)
• себе (to oneself - dative case form of the reflexive pronoun)
• сам (self - used for emphasis in various contexts)