Japanese word

自ら

Pronunciation

Romajimizukara

Meaning

  • nounoneself

Example

彼は自ら決めます。kare wa mizuka ra ki me ma su

He decides for himself.

Illustration for 自ら (oneself)

More examples

彼女は自ら進んで新しい仕事を引き受けます。kano jo wa mizuka ra susu n de atara shi i shi goto o hi ki u ke ma su

She willingly takes on a new task.

Core concept

Shows that a person performs an action independently, with the action arising from that person's own choice.

Common phrases

  • 自ら選ぶmizuka ra era bu

    choose for oneself

  • 自ら進んでmizuka ra susu n de

    willingly

  • 自らの意志mizuka ra no i shi

    one's own will

Similar words

自分jibun: The person referred to in relation to personal actions, feelings, or possessions.

Definition in Japanese

本人が他人に頼らず、自分の意志で物事を行うこと。hon nin ga ta nin ni tayo ra zu ji bun no i shi de mono goto o okona u ko to

Word origin

自ら (mizukara) is a native Japanese word traditionally explained as 身 (mi, "self") + つ (tsu, an old possessive marker) + から (kara, "from"), or "from one's own self".

Usage tips

  • 自ら (mizukara) is common in formal speech and writing, while 自分で (jibun de) is more natural for many simple everyday statements about doing something oneself.

Opposites

Word lists with this word