Soi-même

Anita P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Soi-même

Presumably ‘soi-même’ can also be used for ‘itself’ ?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Anita, 

Not really as itself in French would depend on the gender of the noun it refers to.

Take a look at the following page which gives you an alternative 'en soi'. 

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/itself

 

But it is a good point! 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Anita,

Yes! I believe so, given that "soi" relates to the third person singular.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You use "soi-même" for third person singular when the subject is not well defined or general (think of "on" instead of "il" or "elle").

Il faut qu'on le fasse soi-même.
Il faut qu'elle le fasse elle-même.

Soi-même

Presumably ‘soi-même’ can also be used for ‘itself’ ?

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