See also: -zelf

Dutch

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Etymology

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From Middle Dutch self, from Old Dutch self, *selvo, from Proto-Germanic *selbaz, from Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ- (one's own), from *s(w)e- (separate, apart). Compare Low German sulv, West Frisian self, English self, German selbst, selber, Danish selv.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /zɛlf/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: zelf
  • Rhymes: -ɛlf

Adverb

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zelf

  1. (intensifier) oneself, referring to the subject of a sentence: myself, yourself, itself, ourselves, themselves etc.
    Zelf ging hij er niet heen.
    He himself did not go there.
  2. oneself, by oneself, alone
    Synonym: alleen
    Ik kan dat niet zelf, kun je me helpen?
    I can't do that (by) myself, can you help me?

Derived terms

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Descendants

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  • Berbice Creole Dutch: selfu
  • Javindo: sellef
  • Jersey Dutch: zäl'f
  • Negerhollands: self, sel
  • Petjo: self

Noun

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zelf n (uncountable)

  1. self