I am a bit confused, how do you use soi-même? Thanks.

Question

Laura K Lawless · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Janice,  The French pronoun soi is for impersonal constructions, so you use it with another impersonal word such as on.  For example,
On doit le faire soi-même = One has to do it oneself  Compare that to
Tu dois le faire toi-même = You have to do it yourself.

Liz Healy · Answer

Then how is soi used? I’m very confused because it seems the lessons using on or il faut use soi one time and soi-même the next. What’s the difference. Many thanks for clearing this up.

Liz Healy · Answer

Then how is soi used? I’m very confused because it seems the lessons using on or il faut use soi one time and soi-même the next. What’s the difference. Many thanks for clearing this up.

Liz Healy · Answer

Will someone address our confusion using soi or soi-même? The rules in the lessons seem identical for using either one: the universal, on, il faut. I have to keep guessing. Thanks.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Hi Liz, 
You will use 'soi' when it refers to a general statement applying to everyone:

Chacun pour soi = Everyman for himself 
Avoir confiance en soi = To have self-confidence 
Rester chez soi = To stay home
Regarder devant soi = To look in front of oneself

Hope these help!