se refermer sur soi-même

[ninikrakra]

how does that translate in english please?
thanks

 

[liulia]

Depending on context, you could say something like "to withdraw" or "to turn inwards", or even "to cut oneself off" or "set distances".

 

[pieanne]

Could you imagine something with "bottled up"?

 

[FAC13]

Depending on context, you could say something like "to withdraw" or "to turn inwards", or even "to cut oneself off" or "set distances".

I agree with all of those, though perhaps not completely with the final one.

I also suggest "to close up".

However, isn't it "se renfermer" (note the N) not "se refermer" - and also shouldn't it be "en" not "sur" ?

 

[catay]

In a psychological or spiritual context, "to retreat into oneself" is also used in English.

 

[ninikrakra]

in French we say "se renfermer" and "se refermer sur soi"

Thank you for your help!

 

[patyl]

Sorry I am quite late in the discussion for this one. I saw both se renfermer sur soi and se refermer sur soi in wordref. Their meanings seem to be the same! Is there a difference?

 

[Kelly B]

in French we say "se renfermer" and "se refermer sur soi"

Take a closer look at the dictionary entries as well as Ninikrakra's post - one of your proposed sentences is redundant.

 

[patyl]

Hmm... I read and that's why I am confused. I saw wordref dictionary having the same meaning for both entries: se renfermer sur soi-même and se refermer sur soi-même, and thus wondering.