Japanese word

独立

Pronunciation

Romajidokuritsu

Meaning

  • nounindependence

Example

親から独立したいです。oya ka ra doku ritsu shi ta i de su

I want to be independent from my parents.

Illustration for 独立 (independence)

More examples

兄は独立して、毎日自分で料理をします。ani wa doku ritsu shi te mai nichi ji bun de ryō ri o shi ma su

My older brother lives on his own and cooks for himself every day.

大学を卒業したら、独立して暮らしたいです。dai gaku o sotsu gyō shi ta ra doku ritsu shi te ku ra shi ta i de su

After I graduate from college, I want to live on my own.

Core concept

It describes standing apart from outside support or control and managing matters through one's own choice and ability.

Common phrases

  • 独立を目指すdoku ritsu o me za su

    aim for independence

  • 独立を保つdoku ritsu o tamo tsu

    maintain independence

  • 独立を宣言するdoku ritsu o sen gen su ru

    declare independence

Similar words

自立jiritsu: The state of supporting oneself and managing life without relying on others.
自活jikatsu: The state of earning a living and managing daily life without financial support from others.

Definition in Japanese

他に頼ったり支配されたりせず、自分の力で物事を行うこと。hoka ni tayo tta ri shi hai sa re ta ri se zu ji bun no chikara de mono goto o okona u ko to

Word origin

独立 (dokuritsu) combines 独 (doku, "alone") and 立 (ritsu, "stand"), expressing the idea of standing alone rather than relying on others.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 独立する (dokuritsu suru) can describe moving out from one's parents and managing life independently, not only a country becoming independent.

Other meanings

  • being on one's ownnoun
  • self-reliancenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 独立性dokuritsuseiindependencenoun
  • 独立的dokuritsutekiindependentna-adjective

Word lists with this word