Myself, the same, on my own
Three neighbouring tools English mixes up: ο εαυτός μου (myself, as object), ο ίδιος (in person / the same), μόνος μου (without help).
ο εαυτός μου — the reflexive object
A real masculine noun that declines: Βλέπω τον εαυτό μου στον καθρέφτη (I see myself), Μίλα στον εαυτό σου με καλοσύνη. Often the passive is enough (πλένομαι) — τον εαυτό μου steps in for emphasis or after prepositions.
- Βλέπω τον εαυτό μου στον καθρέφτη.I see myself in the mirror.
- Μίλα στον εαυτό σου με καλοσύνη.Speak kindly to yourself.
- Έχω εμπιστοσύνη στον εαυτό μου.I trust myself.
ο ίδιος — in person, or the same
With the article before the noun: the same — το ίδιο λάθος (the same mistake). After the noun or alone: in person — ο ίδιος ο πρόεδρος (the president himself). Bare το ίδιο: “the same thing” — Κι εγώ το ίδιο.
- Κάνεις πάντα το ίδιο λάθος.You always make the same mistake.
- Μίλησε ο ίδιος ο πρόεδρος.The president himself spoke.
- — Πάω για ύπνο. — Κι εγώ το ίδιο.“I’m going to bed.” “Same here.”
μόνος μου — unaided
Agrees with the subject + possessive: Το έφτιαξα μόνος μου (I fixed it by myself), Η Άννα ταξιδεύει μόνη της, Τα παιδιά ντύνονται μόνα τους. Not to be confused with μόνο (only).
- Το έφτιαξα μόνος μου.I fixed it by myself.
- Η Άννα ταξιδεύει μόνη της.Anna travels on her own.
- Τα παιδιά ντύνονται μόνα τους.The children get dressed by themselves.
- Θέλω μόνο νερό.I only want water.
Your turn
Choose the correct form.
The same topic at other levels
Често задавани въпроси
What is the difference between «ο εαυτός μου», «ο ίδιος» and «μόνος μου»?
«Ο εαυτός μου» is the reflexive object: «Βλέπω τον εαυτό μου στον καθρέφτη» (I see myself in the mirror). «Ο ίδιος» means the same before a noun, in person after it: «ο ίδιος ο πρόεδρος» (the president himself). «Μόνος μου» means unaided: «Το έφτιαξα μόνος μου» (I fixed it myself).
How do you say by myself or on my own in Greek?
With «μόνος μου», which agrees with the subject: «Η Άννα ταξιδεύει μόνη της» (Anna travels on her own), «Τα παιδιά ντύνονται μόνα τους» (the children dress themselves). Do not confuse it with «μόνο», which means only.
Does «ο εαυτός μου» decline like a noun?
Yes — it is a real masculine noun: «Βλέπω τον εαυτό μου» (accusative), «Μίλα στον εαυτό σου με καλοσύνη» (after a preposition), «Έχω εμπιστοσύνη στον εαυτό μου». Often the passive is enough («πλένομαι» — I wash), and «τον εαυτό μου» steps in for emphasis or after a preposition.