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A1 pronoun #6,000 よく出る 11分で読める

eux-mêmes

上位6,000

練習する例文メモとヒント eux-mêmes 30秒で

解説 eux-mêmes in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to describe people and their actions. 'Eux-mêmes' is a word you will use to say 'themselves' when talking about a group of boys or a mixed group of boys and girls. For example, if you want to say 'The boys eat by themselves,' you would use this word. It is important to learn that French words often have a gender. 'Eux' is the part that means 'them' (boys), and 'mêmes' is the part that means 'self' or 'same'. You always put a small dash (hyphen) between the two words. At this level, don't worry too much about complex grammar. Just remember that if you see 'Ils' (they), you will likely use 'eux-mêmes' to add emphasis. It's like adding a gold star to the sentence to show that they did it all on their own! You might see this in simple stories or when talking about your family and friends. For instance, 'Mes frères cuisinent eux-mêmes' (My brothers cook themselves). It shows that they are independent. It is a very useful word to make your French sound more advanced even at the beginning. Just keep an eye on the spelling and remember the hyphen. You will mostly use it at the end of a sentence for now, which is the easiest way to start. As you practice, you will notice that it always matches the 'Ils' in your sentence. If you are talking about girls, you will learn a different word later, but for any group that includes at least one male, 'eux-mêmes' is the one you need. It is one of the building blocks of French identity and autonomy in speech.

As an A2 learner, you are building more complex sentences and starting to use prepositions. This is where 'eux-mêmes' becomes even more useful. You will start to see it after words like 'pour' (for), 'avec' (with), or 'chez' (at the home of). For example, 'Ils travaillent pour eux-mêmes' means 'They work for themselves.' This is a great way to talk about people's jobs or their hobbies. You are also learning to distinguish between different types of pronouns. While 'se' is used before a verb (Ils se lavent), 'eux-mêmes' is used for emphasis (Ils se lavent eux-mêmes). At this level, you should focus on the 'mixed group' rule. In French, if you have a group of ten women and one man, the whole group is referred to with masculine pronouns. So, you would still use 'eux-mêmes'. This can be surprising for English speakers, but it is a fundamental rule of the language. You will also encounter 'eux-mêmes' in common expressions. 'Les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes' (The facts speak for themselves) is a common phrase you might hear in news reports or read in simple articles. Try to use 'eux-mêmes' to show that you understand who is performing the action. It adds clarity to your speaking. For example, instead of just saying 'Ils ont réparé la télé' (They fixed the TV), say 'Ils ont réparé la télé eux-mêmes' to show they didn't call a repairman. This level of detail makes your French much more descriptive and interesting to listen to.

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At the B1 level, you are becoming more independent in your French and can handle more nuanced grammar. You will use 'eux-mêmes' to provide contrast and to structure your arguments more effectively. In B1, you are expected to express opinions and describe experiences in detail. 'Eux-mêmes' allows you to highlight the agency of a group. For instance, in a discussion about social issues, you might say, 'Les jeunes veulent décider pour eux-mêmes' (Young people want to decide for themselves). This shows a higher level of linguistic sophistication. You will also start to notice the difference between 'eux-mêmes' and 'soi-même'. While 'soi-même' is general (one should be oneself), 'eux-mêmes' is specific to a group you have already mentioned. Understanding this distinction is key for passing B1 exams where you need to show precise pronoun usage. You should also be comfortable using 'eux-mêmes' to avoid ambiguity. If you say 'Ils leur ont parlé', it could mean 'They spoke to them (another group)'. If you say 'Ils se sont parlé à eux-mêmes', it clearly means 'They spoke to themselves'. This level of precision is what separates a basic learner from an intermediate one. You will also encounter this word in more formal writing, such as letters or essays. Using it correctly shows that you have a firm grasp of French gender agreement and intensive pronouns. Practice using it in different positions in the sentence—sometimes right after the subject and sometimes at the end—to see how it changes the rhythm and focus of your speech.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'eux-mêmes' fluently in complex debates and written reports. You will use it to emphasize the internal logic of a system or the self-sufficiency of a group. For example, in a business context, you might discuss 'des marchés qui se régulent eux-mêmes' (markets that regulate themselves). Here, 'eux-mêmes' is used to describe an abstract masculine plural noun ('les marchés'). This shows you can apply gender agreement rules to objects, not just people. You will also use 'eux-mêmes' to add rhetorical weight to your arguments. In a formal presentation, saying 'Les experts eux-mêmes ne sont pas d'accord' (The experts themselves do not agree) is a powerful way to show the complexity of a situation. It highlights that even the people you would expect to know the answer are uncertain. At this stage, you should also be aware of the stylistic choices involving 'eux-mêmes'. Placing it immediately after the subject is a common technique in formal French to create a more authoritative tone. You should also be able to recognize 'eux-mêmes' in high-level literature and academic texts, where it is often used to explore themes of identity and reflection. Your mastery of this word at B2 involves not just knowing what it means, but knowing how to use it to influence the tone and clarity of your communication. You should also be careful to avoid 'over-using' it; in French, while emphasis is common, it should be used strategically to ensure it remains effective. You are now moving beyond simple translation and into the realm of stylistic nuance.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'eux-mêmes' should be entirely natural and integrated into a sophisticated vocabulary. You will encounter this word in philosophical treatises, legal documents, and advanced literary criticism. At this level, you are exploring the nuances of 'self' and 'other'. 'Eux-mêmes' becomes a tool for analyzing the behavior of groups or the properties of complex systems. You might use it in a phrase like 'Les textes se répondent entre eux-mêmes' to describe intertextuality in literature. You will also be expected to understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, recognizing 'même' as a marker of identity that has evolved from Latin. In C1, you should be able to use 'eux-mêmes' to resolve potential ambiguities in very long, complex sentences where multiple groups are mentioned. It serves as a linguistic anchor, ensuring the reader knows exactly which masculine plural subject is being referred back to. You will also use it in idiomatic and semi-idiomatic expressions with ease. For example, 'Ils ne sont plus eux-mêmes' to describe a group of people who have changed significantly or are acting out of character. This level of mastery requires a deep sensitivity to the 'weight' of the word in a sentence. You understand that 'eux-mêmes' can change the focus of a paragraph, shifting the emphasis from an action to the actors. Your writing should reflect this, using the pronoun to create a clear, logical flow of ideas that emphasizes agency and identity where appropriate.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'eux-mêmes'. You use it with complete precision in any context, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic writing. You understand the subtle rhythmic effects of placing 'eux-mêmes' in different parts of a sentence and how it interacts with French prosody. In C2, you might use 'eux-mêmes' to create deliberate irony or to mimic specific literary styles. You are also fully aware of the rare and archaic uses of the word that might appear in classical French literature, allowing you to interpret texts by authors like Racine or Molière with high accuracy. Your use of 'eux-mêmes' in spontaneous speech is flawless, including correct gender agreement even in fast-paced, complex discussions involving multiple groups and abstract concepts. You can also discuss the linguistics of the word, such as its role as a 'disjunctive pronoun' and its relationship to the development of the French pronominal system. At this level, 'eux-mêmes' is no longer a 'vocabulary word' to be learned, but a versatile tool in your linguistic toolkit, used to craft precise, elegant, and impactful French. You can use it to distinguish between collective and individual agency with surgical precision. Whether you are drafting a legal brief, writing a novel, or engaging in a high-level philosophical debate, 'eux-mêmes' is used to define the boundaries of identity and action with total confidence.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

eux-mêmes 30秒で

Eux-mêmes is the masculine plural form of 'themselves' in French, used for emphasis or after prepositions.
It requires a hyphen between 'eux' and 'mêmes' and must agree with a masculine or mixed-gender subject.
It distinguishes between a simple action and one performed independently or specifically by the group mentioned.
Commonly used in formal and informal French to clarify identity and agency within a sentence.

The term eux-mêmes is a plural intensive or emphatic pronoun in the French language, specifically used to refer to a masculine or mixed-gender group of people or things. In English, it translates directly to 'themselves'. To understand its usage, one must first recognize that French pronouns are deeply rooted in gender and number agreement. While English uses 'themselves' for any plural group regardless of gender, French distinguishes between eux-mêmes (masculine or mixed) and elles-mêmes (feminine only). This word is composed of two distinct parts: the stressed pronoun eux (meaning 'them') and the adjective mêmes (meaning 'same' or 'self'). When joined by a hyphen, they form a single unit that serves to emphasize that the action was performed by the subjects without outside help, or to distinguish them from others.

Grammatical Role: It acts as a disjunctive pronoun used for emphasis or after prepositions to clarify that the subject is acting upon itself or is the focus of the statement.

Les enfants ont préparé le gâteau eux-mêmes.

Beyond simple emphasis, eux-mêmes is used to contrast the subjects with others. If you say 'They did it', it is a simple statement of fact. If you say 'They did it themselves', you are highlighting their independence or surprising the listener with their capability. This distinction is vital in French narrative and argumentative writing. It provides a layer of precision that helps the reader understand exactly who is responsible for an action.

Syntactic Position: Usually placed after the verb or at the end of a clause, but can also follow a preposition like 'pour' (for) or 'avec' (with).

Ils ne pensent qu'à eux-mêmes.

In contemporary French, you will find this word in everything from technical manuals explaining how machines operate ('les systèmes se régulent eux-mêmes') to philosophical texts discussing the nature of the self. It is a versatile tool for any speaker looking to add clarity and weight to their descriptions of collective actions. Whether you are describing a group of friends fixing a car or politicians making decisions, eux-mêmes ensures your audience knows the power lies within that specific group.

Register and Frequency: While common in spoken French, it is extremely frequent in formal writing where precision regarding the agent of an action is paramount.

Les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes.

Ces hommes se sont surpassés eux-mêmes.

Ils ont construit cette maison eux-mêmes.

Using eux-mêmes correctly requires an understanding of its three primary functions: emphasis, reflexivity after a preposition, and contrast. Let's explore each of these in depth to ensure you can deploy this pronoun with native-like accuracy. Firstly, as an intensive pronoun, it is added to a sentence that already has a subject. It doesn't change the meaning of the verb but adds a layer of 'insistence'. For example, 'Ils ont fait le travail' means 'They did the work'. By adding eux-mêmes, you are saying 'They did the work themselves'—implying they didn't hire anyone or ask for help.

Function 1: Subject Emphasis: Reinforces the subject 'ils' to show autonomy or personal involvement.

Les directeurs eux-mêmes ont assisté à la réunion.

Secondly, eux-mêmes is used after prepositions when the object of the preposition is the same as the subject. This is common with verbs that take indirect objects or prepositional phrases. For instance, with the preposition 'pour' (for), you might say 'Ils travaillent pour eux-mêmes' (They work for themselves/they are self-employed). This usage is essential for expressing self-interest or self-direction.

Function 2: Prepositional Reflexive: Used after 'pour', 'avec', 'contre', 'chez', etc., to refer back to the plural masculine subject.

Ils ont fini par se battre contre eux-mêmes.

Thirdly, the term is used for contrast. If you are comparing two groups, you might use eux-mêmes to distinguish the actions of one group from the actions of another or from the expectations of the speaker. 'Les professeurs ont appris la leçon eux-mêmes' suggests that even the teachers, who usually teach others, had to learn it.

Function 3: Contrastive Focus: Highlights that a specific group is the one involved, often contrary to expectations.

Bien qu'ils soient riches, ils cuisinent eux-mêmes.

Ils ont décidé de s'en occuper eux-mêmes.

Les ouvriers eux-mêmes ont protesté contre les conditions.

In everyday French life, eux-mêmes is a staple of both formal discourse and casual conversation. You will likely encounter it in professional environments where autonomy is valued. For instance, a manager might say, 'Mes employés gèrent leur planning eux-mêmes' (My employees manage their schedule themselves). This conveys a sense of trust and competence. In the world of French media, news anchors often use it when reporting on social movements or international relations. You might hear, 'Les citoyens ont pris les choses en main eux-mêmes' (The citizens took matters into their own hands). This usage highlights the agency of the people involved.

Media and Journalism: Used to emphasize the independence of groups in political or social contexts.

Les délégués se sont présentés eux-mêmes au micro.

In academic and scientific circles, the term is indispensable. When describing biological processes or chemical reactions, scientists might write, 'Les cellules se reproduisent elles-mêmes' (if referring to feminine 'cellules') or 'Les virus se multiplient eux-mêmes' (referring to masculine 'virus'). It denotes a process that is self-contained or automatic. Furthermore, in the DIY (Do It Yourself) culture, which is quite popular in France (often called 'bricolage'), you will see this word on blog posts and YouTube tutorials. Phrases like 'Faites-le vous-mêmes' (Do it yourselves) are common, but when describing a successful project, a blogger might say, 'Ils ont rénové leur appartement eux-mêmes'.

Scientific and Technical: Describes systems or organisms that operate independently or automatically.

Les algorithmes apprennent par eux-mêmes.

Finally, in everyday arguments or discussions about responsibility, you might hear, 'C'est de leur faute, ils se sont mis dans cette situation eux-mêmes'. This usage shifts the blame or responsibility directly onto the subjects. It is a powerful word for establishing agency and accountability in any conversation. Whether you are reading a classic French novel by Victor Hugo or watching a modern Netflix series like 'Lupin', eux-mêmes will appear as a key linguistic marker of emphasis and identity.

Colloquial Usage: Used to assign blame or credit directly to a group of people.

Ils sont venus eux-mêmes nous voir.

Les résultats parlent d'eux-mêmes.

Ils l'ont vu de leurs propres yeux, par eux-mêmes.

For English speakers, the most frequent errors involving eux-mêmes stem from gender agreement, the misuse of the hyphen, and confusion with other pronouns. French is much stricter about matching the pronoun to the gender of the group. If the group is entirely female, you must use elles-mêmes. Using eux-mêmes for a group of women is a glaring error that native speakers will immediately notice. Remember: 'eux' is masculine plural, 'elles' is feminine plural.

Mistake 1: Gender Mismatch: Using 'eux-mêmes' when the subject is a group of females (e.g., 'les filles').

Correct: Elles l'ont fait elles-mêmes. Incorrect: Elles l'ont fait eux-mêmes.

Another common pitfall is the omission of the hyphen. In French, compound pronouns like moi-même, toi-même, and eux-mêmes always require a hyphen. This is not optional. Writing 'eux mêmes' as two separate words is a spelling error that can detract from the professionalism of your writing.

Mistake 2: Missing Hyphen: Treating the compound as two separate words without the required punctuation.

Correct: Ils se gèrent eux-mêmes. Incorrect: Ils se gèrent eux mêmes.

Beginners also often confuse eux-mêmes with the simple reflexive pronoun se. While they both translate to 'themselves' in certain contexts, se is a clitic pronoun that must go before the verb (e.g., 'Ils se regardent' - They look at themselves), whereas eux-mêmes is used for emphasis or after prepositions (e.g., 'Ils le font eux-mêmes'). Using eux-mêmes in place of se before a verb is a structural error.

Mistake 3: Structural Confusion: Using 'eux-mêmes' as a direct object before the verb instead of 'se'.

Correct: Ils se parlent. Incorrect: Ils eux-mêmes parlent (unless used for emphasis: 'Ils parlent eux-mêmes').

Ils ont tout mangé eux-mêmes.

Les faits ne se sont pas produits eux-mêmes.

Les garçons ont ri d'eux-mêmes.

To master French, it is helpful to see how eux-mêmes fits into the broader family of pronouns and reflexive terms. The most obvious alternative is elles-mêmes, which is used exclusively for feminine plural subjects. Choosing between them is a matter of identifying the gender of the group you are discussing. Another related term is soi-même. While eux-mêmes refers to a specific group of 'them', soi-même is the indefinite 'oneself'. It is used with the pronoun 'on' or in general statements like 'Il faut être soi-même' (One must be oneself).

Eux-mêmes vs. Elles-mêmes: Eux-mêmes: Masculine/Mixed Plural. Elles-mêmes: Feminine Plural.

Les hommes travaillent pour eux-mêmes, mais les femmes travaillent pour elles-mêmes.

You might also consider the use of seuls (alone). While eux-mêmes emphasizes agency, seuls emphasizes the absence of others. If you say 'Ils l'ont fait seuls', you mean they were literally alone when they did it. If you say 'Ils l'ont fait eux-mêmes', you mean they were the ones who did the work, even if other people were in the room.

Eux-mêmes vs. Seuls: Eux-mêmes: Emphasis on agency ('by themselves'). Seuls: Emphasis on isolation ('alone').

Ils ont voyagé seuls (They traveled alone). Ils ont organisé le voyage eux-mêmes (They organized it themselves).

Lastly, the reflexive pronoun se is the most common 'alternative' in the sense that it is the standard way to express reflexivity. However, it lacks the emphatic punch of eux-mêmes. If you want to say 'They hurt themselves', you say 'Ils se sont fait mal'. But if you want to say 'They are the ones who hurt themselves (no one else did it to them)', you might add 'Ils se sont fait mal eux-mêmes'. This redundancy is common in French to add clarity or drama.

Comparison Table: - Eux-mêmes: Emphatic/Prepositional (Masculine Plural)
- Elles-mêmes: Emphatic/Prepositional (Feminine Plural)
- Se: Standard Reflexive (Verb-adjacent)
- Soi-même: Indefinite/General ('On')

Les enfants se sont habillés eux-mêmes.

Ils ne sont pas eux-mêmes aujourd'hui.

Les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The circumflex accent on the 'ê' in 'mêmes' is a 'ghost' of the letter 's' that used to be there in Old French (meisme). When the 's' stopped being pronounced, it was replaced by the accent to show the vowel had changed or lengthened.

発音ガイド

UK /ø.mɛm/

US /ø.mɛm/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: 'mêmes'.

韻が合う語

quand-mêmes problèmes thèmes poèmes systèmes baptêmes crèmes suprêmes

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'x' in 'eux'. It should be silent.
Pronouncing the 's' at the end of 'mêmes'. It is silent unless followed by a vowel in liaison, which is rare for this word.
Making the 'eu' sound too much like 'oo' (as in 'food'). It must be the French 'eu' sound.
Failing to articulate the 'm' clearly.
Adding a 'z' sound between 'eux' and 'mêmes'. There is no liaison here because of the hyphen.

難易度

読解 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text once the concept of 'même' is understood.

ライティング 2/5

Requires remembering the hyphen and the correct gender agreement.

スピーキング 2/5

Need to avoid pronouncing the silent letters and use the correct 'eu' vowel.

リスニング 1/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to spot in conversation.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

ils eux même moi-même lui-même

次に学ぶ

elles-mêmes soi-même l'un l'autre se (reflexive)

上級

en eux-mêmes d'eux-mêmes (idiomatic) tonic pronouns intensive adjectives

知っておくべき文法

Gender Agreement of Intensive Pronouns

Les hommes (eux-mêmes) vs Les femmes (elles-mêmes).

Use of the Hyphen in Compound Pronouns

Always use a hyphen: moi-même, eux-mêmes.

Disjunctive (Tonic) Pronouns

Eux is used after prepositions or for emphasis, unlike clitic 'ils'.

Masculine Prevails

Un homme et dix femmes -> eux-mêmes.

Reflexive vs Emphatic

Ils se voient (reflexive) vs Ils voient eux-mêmes (emphatic).

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レベル別の例文

Ils mangent eux-mêmes.

They eat by themselves.

A1 students should notice 'eux-mêmes' comes at the end to show they don't need help.

Les garçons jouent eux-mêmes.

The boys play by themselves.

Shows the masculine plural subject 'les garçons' matching with 'eux-mêmes'.

Ils font leurs devoirs eux-mêmes.

They do their homework themselves.

Focus on the idea of doing something without assistance.

Les chats se lavent eux-mêmes.

The cats wash themselves.

Even for animals, if the noun (chat) is masculine, use 'eux-mêmes'.

Ils marchent eux-mêmes.

They walk by themselves.

Simple subject-verb-pronoun structure.

Mes amis cuisinent eux-mêmes.

My friends cook themselves.

Shows 'eux-mêmes' used for a mixed or masculine group of friends.

Ils lisent le livre eux-mêmes.

They read the book themselves.

Emphasizes that they are reading without help.

Les enfants s'habillent eux-mêmes.

The children dress themselves.

Used with a reflexive verb 's'habiller' for extra emphasis.

Ils travaillent pour eux-mêmes.

They work for themselves.

Introduction of the preposition 'pour'.

Les voisins ont réparé le toit eux-mêmes.

The neighbors repaired the roof themselves.

Using the passé composé with 'eux-mêmes'.

Ils sont fiers d'eux-mêmes.

They are proud of themselves.

Using the preposition 'de' (d' before a vowel).

Ils parlent souvent d'eux-mêmes.

They often talk about themselves.

Shows 'eux-mêmes' as the object of a preposition.

Les élèves ont trouvé la solution eux-mêmes.

The students found the solution themselves.

Emphasis on problem-solving without a teacher.

Ils ont construit cette cabane eux-mêmes.

They built this cabin themselves.

Focus on manual labor and independence.

Ils ne pensent qu'à eux-mêmes.

They only think of themselves.

The 'ne... que' construction used with 'eux-mêmes'.

Ils voyagent par eux-mêmes.

They travel by themselves.

Using 'par' to show the means of traveling.

Les directeurs eux-mêmes ont signé le contrat.

The directors themselves signed the contract.

Placing 'eux-mêmes' immediately after the subject for emphasis.

Ils ont dû s'en charger eux-mêmes.

They had to take care of it themselves.

Using 'se charger de' with emphatic 'eux-mêmes'.

Les faits se suffisent à eux-mêmes.

The facts are self-sufficient (speak for themselves).

Abstract usage referring to 'les faits' (masculine plural).

Ils ne sont pas restés eux-mêmes après l'accident.

They weren't themselves after the accident.

Idiomatic use meaning 'to act like one's normal self'.

Les acteurs eux-mêmes ont improvisé la scène.

The actors themselves improvised the scene.

Shows agency in a creative context.

Ils se sont perdus par eux-mêmes dans la forêt.

They got lost by themselves in the forest.

Shows the result of their own actions.

Les citoyens se protègent eux-mêmes.

The citizens protect themselves.

Reflexive verb 'se protéger' reinforced by 'eux-mêmes'.

Ils ont fini par se convaincre eux-mêmes.

They ended up convincing themselves.

Using 'finir par' with a reflexive emphatic structure.

Ces systèmes se régulent eux-mêmes sans intervention humaine.

These systems regulate themselves without human intervention.

Technical usage for masculine plural nouns (systèmes).

Les auteurs ont publié leur livre eux-mêmes.

The authors self-published their book.

Context of self-publishing (auto-édition).

Ils se sont exclus eux-mêmes du groupe.

They excluded themselves from the group.

Focus on self-inflicted social isolation.

Les résultats parlent d'eux-mêmes, aucune analyse n'est requise.

The results speak for themselves; no analysis is required.

Very common idiomatic expression in formal contexts.

Ils ont créé leur propre entreprise et se gèrent eux-mêmes.

They created their own business and manage themselves.

Complex sentence showing autonomy.

Les oiseaux migrateurs s'orientent eux-mêmes grâce aux étoiles.

Migratory birds orient themselves thanks to the stars.

Biological context using 's'orienter'.

Ils se sont surpassés eux-mêmes lors de la compétition.

They surpassed themselves during the competition.

Reflexive 'se surpasser' with emphasis.

Les politiciens eux-mêmes ont admis leur erreur.

The politicians themselves admitted their mistake.

Using emphasis to highlight an unexpected admission.

Les concepts s'articulent d'eux-mêmes au sein de sa philosophie.

The concepts articulate themselves within his philosophy.

Highly abstract usage for masculine plural concepts.

Ils ne sont plus que l'ombre d'eux-mêmes.

They are but a shadow of their former selves.

Literary idiom for decline or loss of vitality.

Les délégués se sont arrogé des droits qu'ils n'avaient pas eux-mêmes.

The delegates arrogated rights to themselves that they didn't have.

Complex legalistic/political tone.

Les faits, pris en eux-mêmes, ne prouvent rien.

The facts, taken by themselves, prove nothing.

Using 'en eux-mêmes' to mean 'in and of themselves'.

Ils se sont vus contraints de se justifier devant eux-mêmes.

They found themselves forced to justify their actions to themselves.

Internal psychological conflict.

Les mots semblent s'écrire d'eux-mêmes sous sa plume.

The words seem to write themselves under his pen.

Poetic description of effortless writing.

Ils se complaisent dans l'image d'eux-mêmes qu'ils projettent.

They take pleasure in the image of themselves that they project.

Critique of vanity or public persona.

Les gènes se répliquent d'eux-mêmes au cours de la division cellulaire.

Genes replicate themselves during cell division.

Scientific precision using 'se répliquer'.

Les structures sociales tendent à se reproduire d'elles-mêmes, mais les individus eux-mêmes peuvent les transformer.

Social structures tend to reproduce themselves, but the individuals themselves can transform them.

Contrast between feminine 'structures' and masculine 'individus'.

Ils se sont heurtés à l'altérité au sein d'eux-mêmes.

They encountered otherness within themselves.

Deeply philosophical/psychoanalytic usage.

Les paradoxes se résolvent d'eux-mêmes si l'on change de paradigme.

Paradoxes resolve themselves if one changes paradigms.

Abstract logic and high-level vocabulary.

Ils n'ont eu de cesse de se renier eux-mêmes pour plaire au plus grand nombre.

They never ceased to deny themselves to please the majority.

Literary construction 'n'avoir de cesse de'.

Les textes législatifs s'interprètent par eux-mêmes à la lumière de la jurisprudence.

Legislative texts are interpreted by themselves in light of case law.

Legal context for 's'interpréter'.

Ils sont les artisans d'eux-mêmes, sculptant leur propre destin.

They are the architects of themselves, carving their own destiny.

Metaphorical usage for self-creation.

Les crises se nourrissent d'elles-mêmes si on ne les traite pas à la racine.

Crises feed on themselves if they are not treated at the root.

Metaphorical usage for abstract masculine plural 'problèmes' or 'conflits' (if 'crises' was masculine, but here it's feminine, so note the contrast).

Ils se sont retrouvés face à eux-mêmes dans le silence de l'exil.

They found themselves face to face with themselves in the silence of exile.

Evocative literary tone.

よく使う組み合わせ

par eux-mêmes

pour eux-mêmes

d'eux-mêmes

en eux-mêmes

chez eux-mêmes

contre eux-mêmes

avec eux-mêmes

entre eux-mêmes

sur eux-mêmes

à eux-mêmes

よく使うフレーズ

Les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes.

— The evidence is so clear that no further explanation is needed.

Regardez ces chiffres : les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes.

Ils ne sont plus eux-mêmes.

— They are acting in a way that is very different from their usual character.

Depuis la défaite, ils ne sont plus eux-mêmes.

Vivre pour eux-mêmes.

— To live according to one's own desires without worrying about others.

Ils ont décidé de voyager et de vivre pour eux-mêmes.

Se surpasser eux-mêmes.

— To perform better than they ever have before.

Les athlètes se sont surpassés eux-mêmes.

Parler d'eux-mêmes.

— To talk about their own lives or personalities.

Ils aiment beaucoup parler d'eux-mêmes.

Prendre sur eux-mêmes.

— To take responsibility or to restrain one's emotions.

Ils ont pris sur eux-mêmes pour ne pas s'énerver.

En eux-mêmes et pour eux-mêmes.

— In and of themselves; considering things in isolation.

Ces objets sont beaux en eux-mêmes.

S'en sortir par eux-mêmes.

— To manage to get out of a difficult situation without help.

Ils étaient perdus mais ils s'en sont sortis par eux-mêmes.

Rire d'eux-mêmes.

— To have the ability to see the humor in one's own actions.

C'est bien qu'ils sachent rire d'eux-mêmes.

Être fiers d'eux-mêmes.

— To feel a sense of satisfaction with their own achievements.

Ils peuvent être fiers d'eux-mêmes après ce succès.

よく混同される語

eux-mêmes vs elles-mêmes

Used only for purely feminine groups. Eux-mêmes is for masculine or mixed groups.

eux-mêmes vs soi-même

Used for the indefinite 'oneself' (on), whereas eux-mêmes is for a specific 'they'.

eux-mêmes vs se

A reflexive pronoun that goes before the verb, whereas eux-mêmes is emphatic or prepositional.

慣用句と表現

"N'être que l'ombre d'eux-mêmes"

— To have lost all their strength, influence, or vitality.

Ces anciens champions ne sont plus que l'ombre d'eux-mêmes.

literary

"S'écrire d'eux-mêmes"

— Used to describe something that flows naturally or effortlessly.

Les chapitres de son livre semblent s'écrire d'eux-mêmes.

literary

"Se suffire à eux-mêmes"

— To be self-sufficient or not need anything else to be complete.

Ces arguments se suffisent à eux-mêmes.

formal

"Faire la loi eux-mêmes"

— To take the law into their own hands or act as if they are in charge.

Dans ce quartier, les gangs font la loi eux-mêmes.

neutral

"Se mettre eux-mêmes dans le pétrin"

— To get themselves into a mess or trouble.

Ils se sont mis eux-mêmes dans le pétrin avec ces mensonges.

informal

"Se mirer en eux-mêmes"

— To be overly self-absorbed or narcissistic.

Ils passent leur temps à se mirer en eux-mêmes.

literary

"Prendre les choses en main eux-mêmes"

— To take initiative and handle a situation personally.

Ils ont décidé de prendre les choses en main eux-mêmes.

neutral

"S'enfermer sur eux-mêmes"

— To become withdrawn or isolated from others.

Après le deuil, ils se sont enfermés sur eux-mêmes.

neutral

"Se trahir eux-mêmes"

— To act against their own interests or principles unknowingly.

Par leur nervosité, ils se sont trahis eux-mêmes.

neutral

"Se donner en spectacle eux-mêmes"

— To make a scene or behave in a way that attracts negative attention.

Ils se sont donnés en spectacle eux-mêmes à la fête.

informal

間違えやすい

eux-mêmes vs leur

Both can translate to 'them/themselves' in English.

Leur is an indirect object pronoun (to them). Eux-mêmes is an emphatic/prepositional pronoun.

Je leur parle (I speak to them) vs Ils parlent d'eux-mêmes (They talk about themselves).

eux-mêmes vs seuls

Both imply 'by themselves'.

Seuls means 'alone' (without company). Eux-mêmes means 'themselves' (agency).

Ils sont seuls (They are alone) vs Ils l'ont fait eux-mêmes (They did it themselves).

eux-mêmes vs les mêmes

Looks similar.

Les mêmes means 'the same ones' (adjective/pronoun). Eux-mêmes is 'themselves'.

Ce sont les mêmes (They are the same ones) vs Ils le font eux-mêmes.

eux-mêmes vs eux

Eux-mêmes contains the word eux.

Eux is the simple 'them'. Eux-mêmes adds the 'selves' emphasis.

Je vais avec eux vs Ils y vont eux-mêmes.

eux-mêmes vs on-même

Doesn't exist.

English speakers try to create this. The correct form is 'soi-même'.

On doit le faire soi-même.

文型パターン

Ils [verbe] eux-mêmes.

Ils mangent eux-mêmes.

Ils [verbe] pour eux-mêmes.

Ils travaillent pour eux-mêmes.

Les [nom] eux-mêmes [verbe].

Les directeurs eux-mêmes ont signé.

Ils se sont [verbe] eux-mêmes.

Ils se sont punis eux-mêmes.

Les [choses] se [verbe] d'eux-mêmes.

Les problèmes se résolvent d'eux-mêmes.

Ils ne sont plus eux-mêmes.

Depuis le drame, ils ne sont plus eux-mêmes.

[Sujet], pris en eux-mêmes, [verbe].

Ces mots, pris en eux-mêmes, sont neutres.

Ils sont les artisans d'eux-mêmes.

Par leurs efforts, ils sont les artisans d'eux-mêmes.

語族

名詞

le même (the same one)

le moi-même (the self/ego - philosophical)

動詞

se ressembler (to look like each other/same)

identifier (to identify/make the same)

形容詞

même (same)

identique (identical)

使い方

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written French.

よくある間違い

Using 'eux-mêmes' for an all-female group. → Elles-mêmes.
French requires strict gender agreement. 'Eux' is masculine plural.
Writing 'eux mêmes' without a hyphen. → Eux-mêmes.
Compound pronouns in French must be joined by a hyphen.
Using 'eux-mêmes' as a subject pronoun. → Ils.
'Eux-mêmes' is an emphatic pronoun, not a replacement for the subject 'Ils'.
Confusing 'soi-même' with 'eux-mêmes'. → Depends on the subject.
'Soi-même' is for the indefinite 'on' or 'tout le monde'. 'Eux-mêmes' is for 'ils'.
Pronouncing the 'x' in 'eux-mêmes'. → Silent 'x'.
The 'x' in 'eux' is always silent in this compound word.

ヒント

The Mixed Group Rule

Always default to 'eux-mêmes' if the group has mixed genders. It is the grammatically correct choice in French.

Don't Forget the Hyphen

The hyphen is the key to identifying this as a single intensive pronoun unit. Without it, the words are just 'them' and 'same'.

Silent X

Remember that the 'x' in 'eux' is silent. Don't try to pronounce it like a 'ks' or a 'z' sound.

Placement for Impact

Place 'eux-mêmes' immediately after the noun for a more formal, emphatic tone: 'Les rois eux-mêmes...'

Use with Objects

Don't forget that 'eux-mêmes' works for masculine things too, like 'les problèmes' or 'les livres'.

Eux-mêmes vs Seuls

Use 'eux-mêmes' for agency (who did it) and 'seuls' for isolation (being alone).

Idiomatic Spontaneity

Use 'd'eux-mêmes' to describe something that happens naturally: 'Les prix ont baissé d'eux-mêmes'.

Agreement Check

Always check your subject before writing the pronoun. Is it masculine? Is it plural? Then 'eux-mêmes' is your friend.

Preposition Alert

When you hear a preposition followed by 'eux-mêmes', it's a sign of a reflexive action or thought.

The 'Self' Suffix

Think of '-mêmes' as the French version of the English suffix '-selves'.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'EUX' as 'Them' and 'MÊMES' as 'Members of the same group'. So 'EUX-MÊMES' is 'Them, the same members' doing it themselves.

視覚的連想

Imagine a group of men building a house. Above them is a giant hyphen acting as a bridge, connecting 'Them' (Eux) to their 'Work' (Mêmes).

Word Web

ils eux même mêmes elles-mêmes soi-même autonomie identité

チャレンジ

Try to write three sentences about a famous group of men (like a band or a sports team) using 'eux-mêmes' to describe their success.

語源

The word 'eux' comes from the Latin 'illos', the accusative plural of 'ille' (that/he). The word 'mêmes' comes from the Vulgar Latin 'metipsimus', a superlative form of 'met' (an intensive suffix) and 'ipse' (self). Over centuries, these merged into the Old French 'meisme' and eventually 'même'.

元の意味： The original sense was 'the very same ones' or 'those very people'.

Romance (Latin branch).

文化的な背景

Be aware that using 'eux-mêmes' for a group that identifies as female is a significant grammatical error. In mixed groups, 'eux-mêmes' is the standard, but in some modern progressive circles, people might use alternative phrasing.

English speakers often find the gender distinction in 'themselves' (eux-mêmes vs elles-mêmes) difficult since English is gender-neutral in the plural.

The phrase 'Les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes' is a common title for French news editorials. Jean-Paul Sartre's philosophical works often explore how individuals define 'eux-mêmes' through action. The DIY movement in France is often marketed with the slogan 'Faites-le vous-mêmes', which transitions to 'Ils l'ont fait eux-mêmes' in success stories.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Professional/Work

Ils gèrent le projet eux-mêmes.
Ils ont pris la décision eux-mêmes.
Ils travaillent pour eux-mêmes.
Les clients eux-mêmes l'ont demandé.

Daily Life/Home

Ils cuisinent eux-mêmes.
Ils ont réparé la fuite eux-mêmes.
Ils s'occupent d'eux-mêmes.
Ils sont sortis eux-mêmes.

Social/Relationship

Ils ne parlent que d'eux-mêmes.
Ils sont fiers d'eux-mêmes.
Ils se sont disputés entre eux-mêmes.
Ils sont restés eux-mêmes.

Academic/Scientific

Les résultats parlent d'eux-mêmes.
Les systèmes se corrigent eux-mêmes.
Les faits pris en eux-mêmes.
Les virus se répliquent eux-mêmes.

Politics/News

Les citoyens ont agi eux-mêmes.
Les ministres eux-mêmes étaient là.
Ils ont décidé pour eux-mêmes.
Les faits se suffisent à eux-mêmes.

会話のきっかけ

"Est-ce que tes amis préfèrent cuisiner eux-mêmes ou aller au restaurant ?"

"Penses-tu que les gens peuvent changer par eux-mêmes sans aide ?"

"Connais-tu des entrepreneurs qui travaillent pour eux-mêmes ?"

"Est-ce que les enfants dans ton pays s'habillent eux-mêmes pour l'école ?"

"Quand les politiciens parlent d'eux-mêmes, est-ce que tu les crois ?"

日記のテーマ

Décris un moment où tes amis ont réussi quelque chose de difficile par eux-mêmes.

Pourquoi est-il important pour un groupe de savoir rire d'eux-mêmes ?

Imagine un futur où les robots font tout par eux-mêmes. Est-ce une bonne chose ?

Écris sur une situation où les faits parlaient d'eux-mêmes et aucune explication n'était nécessaire.

Quelles sont les qualités des gens qui ne pensent qu'à eux-mêmes ?

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, in French, the masculine plural 'eux-mêmes' is used for any group that contains at least one male. This is the standard rule of gender agreement in plural contexts.

Yes, the hyphen is grammatically required in all compound intensive pronouns like moi-même, lui-même, and eux-mêmes. Omitting it is a spelling error.

'Ils se lavent' is a simple reflexive statement (They are washing). 'Ils se lavent eux-mêmes' adds emphasis, suggesting they are doing it without assistance, perhaps because they are now old enough to do so.

Use 'elles-mêmes' only when the entire group you are referring to is female. For example, 'Les filles ont fini le projet elles-mêmes'.

Yes, if the objects have a masculine grammatical gender. For example, 'Les ordinateurs se mettent à jour eux-mêmes' (The computers update themselves).

No, 'eux-mêmes' is the fixed masculine plural form. It does not change based on the verb or the position in the sentence, as long as the subject is masculine/mixed plural.

It is rare but possible for extreme emphasis: 'Eux-mêmes ne savaient pas quoi faire.' Usually, it follows the subject or the verb.

It is used in all registers, including slang, though in very casual speech, people might just say 'eux' or 'tout seuls' to save time.

No, there is no 'z' sound liaison between the 'x' of 'eux' and the 'm' of 'mêmes'. The 'x' remains silent.

You can say 'Ils le font par eux-mêmes' or simply 'Ils le font eux-mêmes'. Both are correct and common.

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