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"Himself" is a pronoun which is often translated as "él mismo", and "by himself" is a phrase which is often translated as "por su cuenta". Learn more about the difference between "himself" and "by himself" below.
himself(
hihm
-
sehlf
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (emphatic)
b. sí mismo (after preposition)
I think he's very capable of finding a job by himself.Yo le creo muy capaz de encontrar un trabajo por sí mismo.
2. (reflexive)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He hasn't been himself since the accident.No se encuentra bien desde el accidente.
Your father has not been himself lately.En estos últimos tiempos, tu padre ya no es el de siempre.
by himself(
bay
hihm
-
sehlf
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. por su cuenta
He wrote the essay by himself. His mother did not help.Escribió el ensayo por su cuenta. Su madre no lo ayudó.
c. solo
Theo can fix the sink by himself. He doesn't need a technician.Theo puede reparar el lavabo solo. No necesita a un técnico.
