English–Japanese

“true self” in Japanese

Japanese

Pronunciation

Romajisu

Example

私は素で話します。watashi wa su de hana shi ma su

I speak as my true self.

Illustration for 素 (true self)

How to say “true self” in Japanese

“True self” in Japanese is 素 (su).

Points to what remains when deliberate presentation and artificial additions are removed from a person or thing.

Full entry for 素: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 素

冗談を言うと、彼の素が見えます。jō dan o yū to kare no su ga mi e ma su

When he tells a joke, his true self comes through.

Tips for using 素

  • For conversational Japanese, 素でいる (su de iru) can signal ease and authenticity rather than a manner adopted for a particular setting.

“true self” in other languages