In this lesson we'll learn one more Russian pronoun. This is the pronoun сам. It's used to emphasize the subject which is performing an action. It can be translated in English as 'myself', 'yourself', 'himslef' and s on.

As many other Russian pronouns, сам changes in gender, number and case. Have a look at the declension on the pronoun сам.

Use of the pronoun сам

Я сама́ зна́ю, что и как де́лать. - I know myself what to do and how.

Он сам пришёл, его́ никто́ не звал. - He came by himself, nobody called him.

Э́та карти́на напи́сана сами́м Леона́рдо да Ви́нчи. - This picture is painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Сам is very often used with себя:

Помоги́ себе́ сам. - Help yourself.

Э́то говори́т само́ за себя́. - It speaks for itself.

Learn a few useful expressions with the pronoun сам:

Сам винова́т. / Сама́ винова́та.
You asked for it! (lit. - You are guilty yourself!)

Сам не свой. / Сама́ не своя.
Not one's usual self. (lit. - Not oneself)

Само́ собо́й (разумеется).
Of course. / Sure.

Here is an audio file for you to practice all examples of today's lesson:

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