Het duurde jaren voordat haar ware ik naar voren kwam.
English: It took several years for her true self to come out.
zelf /zˈɛlf/ · noun · CEFR B2. Dutch translation of "self".
See also: Vocabulary entry (Dutch)
- Source term
- self
- Translation
- zelf
- CEFR Level
- B2
- Part of speech
- noun
- Image
Pronunciation audio — Open the full phoneme overview
Listen to how "zelf" sounds in Dutch.
Article, Gender & Forms
Dutch article information is not stored for this word.
| Dictionary form | zelf |
|---|---|
| Regular/likely plural | zelfen |
| Diminutive | zelfje |
How to use it in a sentence
- Pattern
- Subject + verb + zelf
- Examples
- Dit is zelf.
- Tip
- Use the article with the noun when the language normally requires one.
Example Sentences
Hij voelde zich weer zichzelf na een lange vakantie.
English: He felt like his old self again after a long holiday.
Ons zelfbeeld wordt gevormd door familie, cultuur en ervaring.
English: Our sense of self is shaped by family, culture, and experience.
Related vocabulary
Practice this in SmartWords
Move from lookup to repetition with guided vocabulary exercises, saved words, and CEFR-based lesson paths.
Keep exploring
Play SmartWords games
Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.
Open the game hub →-
Word Sling
Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.
Play now → -
Word Gate
Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.
Play now → -
Word Ninja
Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.
Play now → -
Word Zip
Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.
Play now → -
Word Oddity
Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.
Play now → -
Word Memory
Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.
Play now →