Translation and Meaning of: 自尊心 - jisonshin

The Japanese word 自尊心[じそんしん] is a term that carries significant weight both in the language and culture of Japan. If you are learning Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding the meaning and use of this word can be essential for grasping Japanese social and behavioral values. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to cultural nuances, including how it is perceived in everyday life and in what contexts it appears most frequently.

Meaning and Translation of 自尊心

自尊心[じそんしん] is composed of three kanji: 自 (oneself), 尊 (respect, honor), and 心 (heart, mind). Together, they form the concept of "self-esteem" or "self-pride." The most common translation into Portuguese is "amor-próprio," but it can also be understood as "dignity" or "respect for oneself."

Unlike Portuguese, where "self-esteem" can have more psychological connotations, 自尊心 in Japanese is often tied to a collective perspective. That is, it's not just about how you see yourself, but how you are perceived by others within a group. This reflects Japanese cultural values, where social harmony is of great importance.

Cultural Uses and Context in Japan

In Japan, 自尊心 is a concept that frequently appears in discussions about education, work, and social relations. It is often associated with the idea of maintaining one’s own reputation and not “causing trouble” for others. For example, in corporate environments, an employee may avoid admitting mistakes to preserve their 自尊心, which can be seen both positively (as responsibility) and negatively (as difficulty in accepting failures).

Another interesting aspect is how the word is used in contexts of competitiveness. Students, for example, might say that they "lost their 自尊心" after failing an important exam. This shows how the term is connected to personal achievements and social expectations.

Memory Tips and Curiosities

An effective way to remember 自尊心 is to break down its kanjis: 自 (oneself) + 尊 (value) + 心 (feeling). Visualizing it as "the feeling of self-worth" helps to reinforce the meaning. Furthermore, the word appears in various materials, from self-help books to Japanese dramas that address internal conflicts.

Interestingly, 自尊心 is not an ancient word — its use became more popular in the post-war period, with Western influence on concepts of individuality. Before that, terms like 面目[めんぼく] (honor) were more common to express similar ideas, but with a more external focus (what others think) rather than internal (how you feel).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自負心 (Jifushin) - Pride; self-esteem.
• 自尊心 (Jisonshin) - Pride; self-respect.
• 自尊 (Jison) - Self-respect; personal dignity.
• 自信心 (Jishinshin) - Self-confidence.
• 自信 (Jishin) - Self-confidence; conviction in your abilities.
• 誇り (hokori) - Pride; dignity.
• 誇示心 (Kojishin) - Need to display pride or self-assertion.
• 誇示 (Kojii) - Display of pride or success.
• 尊厳心 (Songenshin) - Sense of dignity; elevated self-respect.
• 尊厳 (Songen) - Dignity; respect.
• 尊敬心 (Sonkeishin) - Feeling of respect and admiration for others.
• 尊敬 (Sonkei) - Respect; reverence.
• 自己尊重 (Jiko sonchou) - Self-respect; valuing oneself.
• 自己尊敬 (Jiko sonkei) - Self-respect towards oneself.
• 自己重視 (Jiko juushi) - Valuing yourself and your opinions.
• 自己評価 (Jiko hyouka) - Personal evaluation; self-criticism.
• 自己肯定感 (Jiko kouteikan) - Sense of self-affirmation; subjective confidence.
• 自己肯定 (Jiko koutei) - Self-affirmation; self-acceptance.
• 自己信頼 (Jiko shinrai) - Self-confidence; personal reliability.
• 自己信用 (Jiko shinyou) - Personal credit; trust in your own abilities.
• 自己確信 (Jiko kakushin) - Personal conviction; certainty in one's own abilities.
• 自己自信 (Jiko jishin) - Self-confidence.
• 自己主張 (Jiko shuchou) - Assert yourself; defend your own viewpoints.
• 自己主義 (Jiko shugi) - Individualism; prioritization of the self.
• 自己中心 (Jiko chuushin) - Egocentrism; excessive focus on oneself.
• 自己中心的 (Jiko chuushedteki) - Egocentric; characterized by being self-centered.
• 自己中心主義 (Jiko chuushin shugi) - Egocentrism as a philosophy of life.
• 自己満足感 (Jiko manzokukan) - Personal satisfaction; contentment with oneself.
• 自己満足 (Jiko manzoku) - Contentment; satisfaction with oneself.
• 自己充足感 (Jiko juusokukan) - Feeling of fullness or personal satisfaction.
• 自己充足 (Jiko juusoku) - Self-sufficiency; satisfaction that comes from within.

自尊心

Romaji: jisonshin
Kana: じそんしん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: self-respect; presumption

Meaning in English: self-respect;conceit

Definition: A feeling of self-respect and self-worth recognition.

Example Sentences - (自尊心) jisonshin

See below some example sentences:

私の自尊心は高いです。

Watashi no jisonshin wa takai desu

My self -esteem is high.

My self -esteem is high.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 自尊心 - noun meaning "self-esteem" or "self-pride"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "lofty" and, in this context, is used to describe the level of self-esteem
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, used to indicate that the sentence is in the present tense and that self-esteem is high