ourselves
gb/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/ us/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
A2
English
~ 2100
magunk, egyedül, saját magunk, önmagunk, a régiek vagyunk
A2
1
magunk
A2
Usage pattern:
[we] [verb] ourselves
We prepared ourselves for the long journey.
Felkészítettük magunkat a hosszú útra.
We saw ourselves in the mirror.
Láttuk magunkat a tükörben.
We congratulated ourselves on a job well done.
We taught ourselves how to code.
We promised ourselves we would try harder next time.
Learner examples
We made ourselves lunch.
Készítettünk magunknak ebédet.
We taught ourselves English.
Magunktól tanultunk meg angolul.
We hurt ourselves while playing.
We saw ourselves in the photo.
We told ourselves it was okay.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'us' instead of 'ourselves' when the subject and object are the same (e.g., 'We hurt us' instead of 'We hurt ourselves').
Meaning
Reflexive form of 'we'
Collocations
by ourselves
|for ourselves
|introduce ourselves
|blame ourselves
|help ourselves
Synonyms
us ('Us' is the object form of 'we', but not reflexive; it does not show that the subject and object are the same.)
Antonyms
others (Refers to people who are not part of the same group as 'we'.)
Themes
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when 'we' or 'us' is the subject and the object is also the same people.
Used by a speaker or writer to refer back to the same group including themselves, as the object of a verb or preposition.
A2
2
egyedül
A1
saját magunk
B1
Usage pattern:
[do something] ourselves
We built the shed all by ourselves.
Teljesen egyedül építettük fel a fészert.
We cooked the entire meal ourselves.
Az egész ételt mi magunk főztük meg.
We solved the problem ourselves without calling tech support.
Learner examples
We fixed the car ourselves.
Mi magunk javítottuk meg az autót.
We cleaned the house ourselves.
Egyedül takarítottuk ki a házat.
We made the cake ourselves.
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'ourselves' when emphasizing independence, reducing clarity (e.g., 'We built the shed' vs. 'We built the shed ourselves').
Meaning
Alone, without help from others
Collocations
fix it ourselves
|do it ourselves
|make it ourselves
Synonyms
alone ('Alone' can mean without other people, but is not reflexive and does not specifically refer to 'we'.)
Antonyms
with help (Indicates assistance from other people rather than doing something on one's own.)
Themes
independence
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Used to say that only 'we' did something, with no one helping.
Used to emphasize that the group including the speaker did something without help from anyone else.
B1
3
önmagunk
B2
Usage pattern:
be ourselves
After the vacation, we finally felt like ourselves again.
A nyaralás után végre újra önmagunknak éreztük magunkat.
We weren’t quite ourselves after hearing the bad news.
A rossz hír hallatán nem voltunk egészen önmagunk.
It took a few days to be ourselves after the stressful week.
Learner examples
We are happy to be ourselves again.
Örülünk, hogy újra a régiek vagyunk.
We feel like ourselves today.
Ma már önmagunknak érezzük magunkat.
After rest, we are ourselves again.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the reflexive sense and use it incorrectly in place of 'us'. Context is key to correct use.
Meaning
In our usual state or character
Collocations
be ourselves
|feel like ourselves
Synonyms
normal ('Normal' describes a state but is not reflexive and does not specify who is referred to.)
Antonyms
out of sorts (Describes feeling unwell or unlike one's usual self.)
Themes
emotions
|identity
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that 'we' are acting or feeling like we normally do.
Used to describe being in one's normal, comfortable, or natural condition.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ourselves
IPA
GB/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
US/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
Syllables & stress
ourselves (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ourselves
- Plural: ourselveses
Word family
Expressions
among ourselves
1/əmˈʌŋ aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Only between us in our group
Only shared or discussed with people in our group, not outsiders.
Examples
- Let's keep this information among ourselves.
- Among ourselves, we agreed that it was a mistake.
be ourselves
1/bˈi aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Act naturally, as we usually do
To act in our normal, real way, not pretending.
Examples
- We should just be ourselves during the interview.
- The coach told us to relax and be ourselves.
by ourselves
1/bˈaɪ aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Without help from others
Without any other people helping us.
Examples
- We completed the project by ourselves.
- We traveled across Europe by ourselves.
to ourselves
1/tə aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
For our own private use or benefit only
For only us to use or enjoy, not others.
Examples
- We had the whole beach to ourselves.
- The cabin was ours to ourselves all weekend.