The article deals with the functioning of the German demonstrative pronoun ‘selbst’ in word-formation. This pronoun is primarily a component of compound words - nouns, adjectives and participles, - and it can also be used in a substantivized form. Different nuances of meaning, which this component may have, are illustrated. Along with the pronoun ‘selbst’, the use of synonymous German and borrowed components of word-formation patterns is analyzed; differences in their meaning and compatibility with roots of various origins are revealed. The information on the ways of translating lexical units with the component ‘selbst’ into Russian is presented.