von sich aus
Translation
on one's own initiative, voluntarily, spontaneously, by itself
Examples
Er hat von sich aus geholfen.
He helped on his own initiative.
Das Problem löste sich von sich aus.
The problem solved itself.
Grammar Patterns
[von sich aus] on one's own initiative He helped on his own initiative.
Similar Words
Synonyms: aus eigenem Antrieb (on one's own drive), freiwillig (voluntarily); Antonym: gezwungen (forced)
Etymology
Literally 'from oneself out'. It combines 'von' (from), the reflexive pronoun 'sich' (oneself), and 'aus' (out).
Memory Tips
Imagine an action coming 'out' ('aus') 'from' ('von') 'oneself' ('sich'), without any external push. The pronoun changes with the person (von mir aus, von dir aus).