By themselves Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ðəmˈsɛɫvz/, /ðɛmˈsɛɫvz
BY thuhm-SELVZ, BY them-SELVZ
bˈaɪ/ /ðɛmsˈɛlvz
BY them-SELVZ
Definition
Used to say that people do something alone, without help from others; also means someone is alone, with no company.
Usage & Nuances
'By themselves' can refer to doing tasks alone or simply being alone. Used for plural subjects ('they'), but for singular ('he', 'she'), use 'by himself/herself.' Often follows the verb (e.g., 'They finished it by themselves'). Not formal or slang; neutral in tone.
Spanish: por sí mismos - solosPortuguese (BR): sozinhos - por si mesmosPortuguese (PT): sozinhos - por si mesmosChinese (Simplified): 他们自己 - 单独Chinese (Traditional): 他們自己 - 單獨Hindi: अपने आप - अकेलेArabic: بأنفسهم - وحدهمBengali: নিজেরা - নিজেরাইRussian: сами - самостоятельноJapanese: 自分たちで - 自分たちだけでVietnamese: tự họ - một mình họKorean: 스스로 - 자기들끼리Turkish: kendi başlarına - kendi kendilerineUrdu: خود ہی - اکیلےIndonesian: sendiri - mereka sendiri
Example Sentences
The children can eat by themselves now.
basic
They fixed the car by themselves.
basic
The birds built the nest by themselves.
basic
They like being by themselves on weekends.
natural
Don’t worry, the kids are fine by themselves for a few hours.
natural
Sometimes, they just want to travel by themselves and explore new places.
natural