American English
/ˈjɔɹ.sɛlf/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Used after a verb when the person who does an action and the person affected by it are the same; the person being spoken to.
Usually, “yourself” sounds like “yer-SELF” (/jɚˈsɛlf/); some speakers use /jʊɹˈsɛlf/. When “your” is being emphasized, you may hear /ˈjɔɹ.sɛlf/ instead.
Used after a verb when the person who does an action and the person affected by it are the same; the person being spoken to.
You hurt yourself.
Please wash yourself before dinner.
hurt yourself · wash yourself · introduce yourself · enjoy yourself
you + verb + yourself
verb + yourself
Used after you to show that you, and not another person, did something or are the person involved.
You yourself chose this plan.
Did you make it yourself?
see for yourself · choose for yourself · make it yourself
you + yourself + verb
you + verb + object + yourself
In the phrase by yourself, it means alone or without help.
She lives by herself.
Can you do this by yourself?
live by yourself · work by yourself · go by yourself
by + yourself
verb + by + yourself
to act naturally, without pretending to be different
You can be yourself here.
to take what you want or serve yourself
Please help yourself to some cake.
alone or without help
Did you do this by yourself?
Use yourself for one person and yourselves for more than one person.