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"Actual" is an adjective which is often translated as "real", and "themselves" is a pronoun which is often translated as "ellos mismos". Learn more about the difference between "actual" and "themselves" below.
actual(
ahk
-
chu
-
uhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (real)
a. real
Obesity is an actual problem in our society.La obesidad es un problema real de nuestra sociedad.
2. (precise)
a. propiamente dicho
We are holding a big party the day after our actual wedding.Vamos a tener una fiesta grande el día después de nuestra boda propiamente dicha.
b. mismo
The book has a nice design, but the actual text leaves a lot to be desired.El diseño del libro es bonito, pero el texto mismo deja mucho que desear.
3. (specific)
a. textual
I can't remember her actual words, but it was something to the effect that she didn't like our way of doing things.No recuerdo sus palabras textuales, pero era algo así como que no le gustaba nuestra forma de hacer las cosas.
themselves(
thehm
-
sehlvz
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (emphatic)
a. ellos mismos (third person masculine plural)
They managed to fix the car themselves.Consiguieron arreglar el coche ellos mismos.
b. ellas mismas (third person feminine plural)
The girls can wash the dishes themselves.Las chicas pueden lavar los platos ellas mismas.
2. (reflexive)
a. se (third person plural)
They bought themselves suits for the wedding.Se compraron trajes para la boda.
a. sí mismos (third person masculine plural)
Those guys only think about themselves.Esos tipos solo piensan en sí mismos.
b. sí mismas (third person feminine plural)
The students who failed the test were ashamed of themselves.Las alumnas que fallaron el examen estaban avergonzadas de sí mismas.
4. (as normal)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
After coming back from the war, it took a while for them to act themselves again.Después de volver de la guerra, tardaron un tiempo en volver a ser ellos mismos.
What's wrong with the twins? They don't seem like themselves.¿Qué pasa con los gemelos? No parecen los de siempre.
