Sjálf

sjálf is an Icelandic word that functions as a pronoun and as an adjective meaning "self" or "oneself." In contemporary Icelandic it is used to refer back to the subject in reflexive constructions and to add emphasis in statements, often in combination with a personal pronoun or a noun. The word can occur in different forms to agree with the gender and number of the subject, similar to other Jónic pronouns and adjectives.

In reflexive or intensive use, sjálf appears in phrases that stress the agent’s own involvement, such as indicating that someone did something personally or independently. Common constructions include forms like ég sjálfur or ég sjálf to mean "I myself," and sentences such as hann gerði það sjálfur to mean "he did it himself." The form may vary with gender and case in Icelandic, and it can also function with other subjects, including second-person and plural forms.

Historically, sjálf originates from Old Norse as sjálfr, and it has cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Danish selv, Norwegian selv, and Swedish själv. In Icelandic, the term retains its core sense of self and is robustly used in both everyday speech and formal writing. It is distinct from other reflexive or intensive devices in Icelandic, serving a specific role in emphasizing agency or self-reference within a sentence.