I am a bit confused, how do you use soi-même? Thanks.

Question

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Janice,  The French pronoun soi is for impersonal constructions, so you use it with another impersonal word such as on.  For example,
On doit le faire soi-même = One has to do it oneself  Compare that to
Tu dois le faire toi-même = You have to do it yourself.

Answer

Then how is soi used? I’m very confused because it seems the lessons using on or il faut use soi one time and soi-même the next. What’s the difference. Many thanks for clearing this up.

Answer

Then how is soi used? I’m very confused because it seems the lessons using on or il faut use soi one time and soi-même the next. What’s the difference. Many thanks for clearing this up.

Answer

Will someone address our confusion using soi or soi-même? The rules in the lessons seem identical for using either one: the universal, on, il faut. I have to keep guessing. Thanks.

Answer

Hi Liz, 
You will use 'soi' when it refers to a general statement applying to everyone:

Chacun pour soi = Everyman for himself 
Avoir confiance en soi = To have self-confidence 
Rester chez soi = To stay home
Regarder devant soi = To look in front of oneself

Hope these help!