selv
Self (Selv)
Selv is used to emphasize that someone did something personally (jeg gjorde det selv) or to express surprise, meaning 'even' (selv min hund ved det).
How It Works
The word selv serves three primary functions in Danish:
1. Emphatic Pronoun (Intensifier): When placed after a noun or pronoun, it emphasizes that the subject performed the action personally or without help. It distinguishes the subject from others.
Example: Jeg gjorde det selv (I did it myself).
2. Focus Particle ('Even'): When placed before a noun phrase, it functions like the English word 'even,' indicating that the information is surprising or extreme.
Example: Selv eksperterne tog fejl (Even the experts were wrong).
3. Reflexive Reinforcement: It is frequently added to reflexive pronouns to add extra emphasis or clarity. While han vasker sig means 'he washes,' han vasker sig selv emphasizes 'he washes himself' (specifically/personally).
Important Note: Do not confuse selv with selve. Selve is used before a definite noun to mean 'the actual' or 'the very' (e.g., selve kongen - the king himself/the actual king).
Examples (5)
- Jeg kan godt gøre det selv.
I can do it myself.
Word by Word: I can well do it self.
Here, 'selv' follows the subject (implied) to emphasize that the speaker will do it without help.
- Selv børnene forstod opgaven.
Even the children understood the task.
Word by Word: Even children-the understood task-the.
When 'selv' comes before the noun, it translates to 'even'.
- Hun elsker kun sig selv.
She only loves herself.
Word by Word: She loves only herself.
In this case, 'selv' reinforces the reflexive pronoun 'sig'.
- Kan I bære bordet selv?
Can you carry the table yourselves?
Word by Word: Can you carry table-the self?
Notice that 'selv' does not change to a plural form even though 'I' (you plural) is used.
- Selv min mor ved det nu.
Even my mother knows it now.
Word by Word: Even my mother knows it now.
Placement before the noun phrase 'min mor' creates the meaning 'even'.
Common Mistakes
Adding a plural ending to 'selv'.
De gjorde det selve.De gjorde det selv.'Selv' is invariable. It never takes an -e ending, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
Using 'selv' alone when you mean washing your own body.
Different MeaningJeg vasker selv.Jeg vasker mig selv.'Jeg vasker selv' is correct and means 'I do the washing myself', with nobody helping. To say you wash your own body, use the reflexive pronoun: Jeg vasker mig.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'selv' correctly, you need to understand the pronouns it emphasizes (both subject and object forms) and how it fits into basic Danish sentence structure.
Related Patterns
- sigOneself (Sig)
'Selv' is often added to the reflexive pronoun 'sig' for emphasis.
Level 2 - Reflexive Verbs
'Selv' is frequently used with reflexive verbs to clarify that the subject is the one receiving the action.
Level 2 - egen/eget/egneOwn (Egen/eget/egne)
While 'selv' means '-self', 'egen' means 'own', both are used to show personal connection or emphasis.
Level 3 - selvomAlthough (Selvom)
'Selvom' is a conjunction meaning 'although', which is distinct from the particle 'selv'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice selv in Bubblegum
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