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

じぶん — 自分, Sino-Japanese. Unpack the two kanji ── 自 (self) + 分 (part) = 'one's own portion' = oneself. It differs in grain from watashi, the common word for 'I' ── watashi is fixed first-person ── always 'the speaking I'. 自分 is flexible ── it can point to the self of speaker, listener, or third party. In 自分のことは自分でする ('one does one's own things oneself'), 自分 is a seat anyone can occupy. The Korean 'jagi' is just as flexible ── 'jagi ireun jagiga' ── Japan and Korea share the same intuition. A register split: using 自分は as a first-person pronoun carries a rough, masculine, military or athletic tone. In the onyomi ── 自己 jiko (the self), 自由 jiyuu (freedom), 自然 shizen (nature). Sister to the Korean reading ja.

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