By ourselves Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /aʊɝˈsɛɫvz/, /ɑɹˈsɛɫvz
BY owr-SELVS
bˈaɪ/ /aʊəsˈɛlvz
BY ow-SELVS
Definition
Without anyone else; alone or without help from others. Refers to a group (including the speaker) doing something independently.
Usage & Nuances
Used only when referring to yourself and at least one other person ('we'). For one person, use 'by myself'; for two, 'by ourselves'; for a group, also 'by ourselves'. Common with verbs like 'do', 'go', 'learn'. Implies independence, sometimes effort or pride.
Spanish: solos - por nuestra cuentaPortuguese (BR): sozinhos - por nossa contaPortuguese (PT): sozinhos - por nossa contaChinese (Simplified): 我们自己 - 独自Chinese (Traditional): 我們自己 - 獨自Hindi: अपने आप - अकेलेArabic: بأنفسنا - وحدناBengali: আমরা নিজেরা - আমরা নিজেরাইRussian: самиJapanese: 自分たちだけでVietnamese: tự mình - tự chúng tôiKorean: 우리끼리 - 우리 스스로Turkish: kendi başımızaUrdu: ہم خودIndonesian: sendiri - sendiri (kami)
Example Sentences
We finished the project by ourselves.
basic
Can we do it by ourselves?
basic
We traveled to the city by ourselves.
basic
We learned how to cook by ourselves during college.
natural
We don't need any help, we'll handle it by ourselves.
natural
Sometimes it's good for us to try things by ourselves to learn more.
natural