By itself Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ˌɪtˈsɛɫf
BY it-SELF
bˈaɪ/ /ɪtsˈɛlf
by its-ELF
Definition
Used to describe something or someone being alone, without anyone or anything else; it can also mean something happens automatically, without any help.
Usage & Nuances
'By itself' can refer to physical aloneness ('the cat is by itself') or to something working/acting alone ('the machine started by itself'). Can be used about people or objects. Sometimes replaced by 'on its own' or 'alone' in casual speech.
Spanish: solo - por sí mismo - sin compañíaPortuguese (BR): sozinho - por si sóPortuguese (PT): sozinho - por siChinese (Simplified): 单独 - 自己Chinese (Traditional): 單獨 - 自己Hindi: अपने आप - अकेलेArabic: بِمُفرَدِهِ - لوحدِهBengali: নিজে - একাRussian: сам по себе - самостоятельноJapanese: 自分だけで - ひとりでVietnamese: một mình - tự độngKorean: 혼자 - 저절로Turkish: kendi başına - tek başınaUrdu: اکیلے - خودIndonesian: sendiri - dengan sendirinya
Example Sentences
The dog stayed by itself in the yard.
basic
This machine works by itself.
basic
He sat by itself on the bench.
basic
Don't worry, the problem will fix by itself.
natural
I prefer eating dinner by itself rather than with a large group.
natural
Sometimes the lights turn off by themselves.
natural