zelf

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.

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• Rhymes: -ɛlf

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

   Ik kan dat niet zelf, kun je me helpen?

   I can't do that (by) myself, can you help me?

• (alone): alleen

• zichzelf
• mijzelf, mezelf
• jijzelf, jezelf
• uzelf
• vanzelf
• zijzelf
• -zelf
• zelfverdediging

• zelfde

zelf n (uncountable)

1. self