自分

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 自分の意見をはっきり言いましょう。▶ —
   Let's clearly express our own opinion.
2. 自分で考えて決めてください。▶ —
   Please decide for yourself.

Collocations

Mnemonic

Jibun (自分) = 自 (self) + 分 (part / portion) = "one's portion = oneself." A flexibly self-referential noun — applicable to speaker, listener, or third party. Distinct from fixed first-person watashi. Jibun de (by oneself), jibun no (one's own), jibun jishin (oneself, emphatic). In the Japanese Self-Defense Force (jieitai), jibun wa serves as the first-person pronoun — a military / athletic register. In everyday use, jibun wa sounds rough or masculine. Formal Sino-Japanese jiko (自己) — jiko shoukai (self-introduction), jiko chuushin (self-centered), jiko sekinin (personal responsibility). Literary / classical onore (おのれ) — archaic self-pronoun. Korean "ja-gi / ja-sin / bo-nin" parallels, plus Japan's register-shifted first-person uses.

Quick check

1. Formal Japanese "self-introduction" for interviews?

   • "Jiko shoukai" — formal Sino-Japanese
   • "Jibun no shoukai" — conversational / awkward
   • "Watashi no hanashi" — general talk
   • "Onore-gatari" — classical / literary