When to use soi vs soi-même

Liz H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

When to use soi vs soi-même

Il faut toujours essayer ... avant de juger. I used soi since I read this to be a universal self where soi is used. Why is it soi-même? What’s the rule to differentiate when using On to mean universal, we the people, etc? I used soi in a previous question using On and it was correct. Thanks. 

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Liz, 

This one is interesting as it would be -

Il faut toujours essayer soi-même, avant de juger = You must always try yourself, before judging ( loose translation!)

On n'est jamais si bien servi que par soi-même = If you want something done right, do it yourself 

But you would use soi with on 

 

on n'a pas de préjugés en soi we don't have prejudice as such 

on va chacun chez soi = we each go to our own home

avoir confiance en soi = to be self-confident 

Hope these examples help!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Liz H. asked:

When to use soi vs soi-même

Il faut toujours essayer ... avant de juger. I used soi since I read this to be a universal self where soi is used. Why is it soi-même? What’s the rule to differentiate when using On to mean universal, we the people, etc? I used soi in a previous question using On and it was correct. Thanks. 

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