Translation and Meaning of: 自分 - jibun

The Japanese word 自分 [じぶん] is a common term in everyday life, but it carries interesting nuances worth exploring. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding its meaning, usage, and cultural context can be quite helpful. In this article, we will dive into the details of this word, from its translation to how it is perceived by native speakers.

In addition to meaning "myself" or "oneself," 自分 also appears in expressions and situations that reveal aspects of the Japanese mindset. Whether in informal conversations or in more serious contexts, understanding this word helps to better comprehend the language and culture. Let's start with the basics and then explore curiosities and practical tips for using 自分 correctly.

Meaning and translation of 自分

In its most direct form, 自分 can be translated as "myself," "oneself," or even "own." Unlike 私 [わたし], which is a more neutral pronoun for "I," 自分 has a more reflective tone. It is often used when someone is referring to themselves in an objective manner, almost as if they are looking from the outside.

An interesting detail is that 自分 can also be used to refer to other people in certain contexts, especially in regional dialects. For example, in Kansai, it is common to hear 自分 used as "you" in informal situations. This flexibility shows how the word can vary depending on the region and social context.

Everyday use and practical examples

自分 often appears in sentences that express responsibility or self-evaluation. A classic example is 自分で決める (jibun de kimeru), which means "decide for oneself." This construction is useful for emphasizing personal autonomy, something valued in Japanese culture, especially in educational and professional contexts.

Another common use is in expressions like 自分のこと (jibun no koto), which can be translated as "one's own things" or "personal matters." This phrase is often used in advice or reflections, such as in 自分のことをまず考えなさい (think about yourself first). Here, the word emphasizes the idea of self-care and individuality.

Cultural curiosities and memorization tips

A curiosity about 自分 is its relationship with Japanese values such as 自己責任 (jiko sekinin), which means "personal responsibility." This connection shows how the word is linked to larger concepts in Japanese society, where autonomy and self-sufficiency are often emphasized.

To memorize 自分 more easily, one tip is to associate it with situations where you are reflecting on your actions. For example, think of phrases like 自分に嘘をつかない (not lying to yourself) or 自分を信じる (believing in yourself). These examples help to reinforce not only the meaning but also the reflective tone of the word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自己 (jiko) - The "I," referring to oneself, relates to one's own identity.
• 自身 (jishin) - Auto, the individual itself, emphasizes personal confidence or skill.
• 本人 (honin) - The person in question, used to refer directly to the individual.
• 己 (on) - I, myself, generally in a more philosophical or reflective context.
• 我が身 (waga mi) - My body, often used to emphasize belonging or personal identification.

自分

Romaji: jibun
Kana: じぶん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: myself; To yourself

Meaning in English: myself;oneself

Definition: Self: An expression that denotes an individual existence as distinct from others.

Example Sentences - (自分) jibun

See below some example sentences:

断ることは自分を守ることです。

Kotowaru koto wa jibun o mamoru koto desu

Saying no is protecting yourself.

What it refuses is to protect itself.

• 断ること (kotowaru koto) - refuse something
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• を (wo) - object particle
• 守ること (mamoru koto) - protect something
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

Translation - To refuse something is to protect yourself.

馬鹿は自分が馬鹿であることに気づかない。

Baka wa jibun ga baka de aru koto ni kizukanai

A foolish person does not realize that he is a fool.

The idiot does not realize that he is stupid.

• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• である (dearu) - to be
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• に (ni) - Target particle
• 気づかない (kidzukanai) - do not realize

運命は自分で切り開くものだ。

Unmei wa jibun de kirihiraku mono da

Destiny is something you must pave the way for yourself.

Destiny is something you can open yourself.

• 運命 (unmei) - destination
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• で (de) - Instrument particle
• 切り開く (kiri hiraku) - open the way, clear the way
• もの (mono) - thing
• だ (da) - affirmative form of the verb "to be"

私は自分で着物を仕立てました。

Watashi wa jibun de kimono o shitaterimashita

I made my own kimono.

I made my own kimono.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 自分 (jibun) - means "myself" or "yourself"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or method used to perform the action, in this case "by oneself"
• 着物 (kimono) - traditional Japanese clothing
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "kimono"
• 仕立てました (shitatemasu) - verb that means "to make" or "to create," in the affirmative past tense

私は自分で服を誂えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun de fuku o totonoeru koto ga dekimasu

I can customize my clothes.

I can customize my clothes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun that means "oneself"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 服 (fuku) - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 誂える (atsumae ru) - verb meaning "to tailor"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - Verb that means "to be able to"

私は自分の主張をしっかりと伝えたいと思います。

Watashi wa jibun no shuchou wo shikkari to tsutaetai to omoimasu

I want to convey my claims firmly.

I want to convey my claims firmly.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - Japanese reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 主張 (shuchou) - Japanese noun meaning "claim" or "argument"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• しっかりと (shikkari to) - Japanese adverb meaning "firmly" or "firmly"
• 伝えたい (tsutaetai) - Japanese verb meaning "to want to convey"
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating a quote or a condition
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"

本来の自分を取り戻す。

Honrai no jibun wo torimodosu

Recover your true self.

Recover your original self.

• 本来の - "original" or "real"
• 自分 - "myself"
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 取り戻す - "recover" or "resume"

幸福は自分自身で作り出すものです。

Koufuku wa jibun jishin de tsukuridasu mono desu

Happiness is something we create for ourselves.

Happiness is created by you.

• 幸福 - happiness
• は - Topic particle
• 自分自身 - To yourself
• で - Location particle
• 作り出す - Create, produce
• もの - thing
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

あなたは自分の選択を絞る必要があります。

Anata wa jibun no sentaku o shiboru hitsuyō ga arimasu

You need to narrow your choices.

• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分の (jibun no) - Japanese possessive pronoun meaning "your own"
• 選択 (senta ku) - Japanese noun meaning "choice/selection"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 絞る (shiboru) - Japanese verb meaning "to restrict/limit"
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "it is necessary"

主体は自分自身である。

Shutai wa jibun jishin de aru

The subject is himself.

The subject is yourself.

• 主体 (shutai) - subject, individual
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself, yourself
• 自身 (jishin) - yourself, yourself
• である (dearu) - to be