soi

Indefinite Reflexive Pronoun Soi

Level 4

Soi is a 'stressed' pronoun (like moi or lui) used specifically for indefinite subjects like on, chacun, or tout le monde. It translates to 'oneself' or 'himself/herself' in a general sense.

How It Works

The pronoun soi is the reflexive disjunctive (stressed) form of the third-person indefinite. Unlike lui or elle, which refer to specific people, soi must refer back to the subject of the sentence when that subject is non-specific.

1. Usage with Indefinite Subjects
It is used when the subject is an indefinite pronoun such as on (impersonal), chacun, quiconque, personne, or quelqu'un.
Example: Chacun travaille pour soi. (Each person works for oneself).

2. Impersonal Expressions and Infinitives
Soi is required in generic statements triggered by il faut or il est... de, and in general infinitive phrases where the 'actor' is implied to be anyone.
Example: Il faut avoir confiance en soi. (One must have confidence in oneself).
Example: L'important est d'être soi-même. (The important thing is to be oneself).

3. Abstract and Inanimate Usage
Beyond people, soi can refer to abstract concepts or inanimate objects to mean 'itself' or 'in itself'.
Example: La vérité est bonne en soi. (Truth is good in itself).

4. Syntactic Position
Like other stressed pronouns, it appears:

  • After prepositions: pour soi, chez soi, devant soi.
  • In comparisons: plus que soi.
  • For emphasis with -même: soi-même.

5. The 'On' Distinction
In modern spoken French, on often replaces nous (we). In these specific cases, you use nous as the stressed pronoun, not soi.

  • General: On doit être honnête envers soi. (One must be honest with oneself).
  • Specific ('We'): On a tout pris avec nous. (We took everything with us).

Examples (6)

  1. Chacun pour soi.

    Every man for himself.

    Word by Word: Each for self.

    A very common fixed expression where 'soi' refers back to the indefinite 'chacun'.

  2. On a souvent besoin d'un plus petit que soi.

    One often has need of someone smaller than oneself.

    Word by Word: One has often need of a more small than self.

    A famous proverb from La Fontaine. 'Soi' is used because 'on' refers to people in general.

  3. Il faut avoir confiance en soi.

    One must have confidence in oneself.

    Word by Word: It must have confidence in self.

    Used here with 'il faut' to express a general necessity applying to everyone.

  4. On n'est jamais mieux servi que par soi-même.

    One is never better served than by oneself.

    Word by Word: One not is never better served than by self-same.

    This common proverb demonstrates 'soi' used in a comparison after 'que'.

  5. La vertu est aimable en soi.

    Virtue is lovable in itself.

    Word by Word: The virtue is lovable in self.

    Here 'soi' refers to an abstract concept (virtue), meaning 'in itself'.

  6. Cela va de soi.

    That goes without saying / That is self-evident.

    Word by Word: That goes of self.

    An idiomatic expression where 'soi' refers back to the idea or fact itself.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'soi' to refer to a specific person.

    Mon frère a pris son sac avec soi.
    Mon frère a pris son sac avec lui.

    Since 'mon frère' is a specific individual, you must use the specific stressed pronoun 'lui'. 'Soi' is only for indefinite subjects.

  • Using 'soi' when 'on' means 'we'.

    Different MeaningOn va chez soi ?
    On va chez nous ?

    'On va chez soi ?' is correct when 'on' means people in general: each person goes to their own home. When 'on' means 'we' (our house), use 'chez nous'.

How It Connects

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soiLevel 4Indefinite Reflexive Pronoun Soi

Learn This First

To understand 'soi', you first need to be familiar with the concept of disjunctive (stressed) pronouns and how they differ from subject pronouns. Additionally, since 'soi' is the reflexive counterpart for indefinite subjects, you must understand indefinite pronouns like 'on' and 'chacun' which trigger its use.

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