Japanese word

自分

Pronunciation

Romajijibun

Meaning

  • pronounoneself

Example

子どもは自分で服を着ます。ko do mo wa ji bun de fuku o ki ma su

Children get dressed by themselves.

Illustration for 自分 (oneself)

More examples

私は自分の荷物を持ちます。watashi wa ji bun no ni motsu o mo chi ma su

I carry my own bag.

Core concept

Marks the person at the center of an action as the same person who is being referred to.

Common phrases

  • 自分でやるji bun de ya ru

    do it oneself

  • 自分で考えるji bun de kanga e ru

    think for oneself

  • 自分の部屋ji bun no heya

    one's own room

  • 自分を紹介するji bun o shō kai su ru

    introduce oneself

Similar words

自身jishin: Refers to the person in question, often to add emphasis.

Definition in Japanese

話し手や文中の人物など、対象となる人自身を指す代名詞。hana shi te ya bun chū no jin butsu na do tai shō to na ru hito ji shin o sa su dai mei shi

Word origin

自分 (jibun) combines 自 (ji, "self") and 分 (bun, "part" or "share"), and the compound came to refer to one's own self.

Usage tips

  • In casual Kansai speech, 自分 (jibun) can address another person, a regional use that differs from its usual reference to oneself.

Other meanings

  • myselfpronoun
  • yourselfpronoun
  • himselfpronoun
  • herselfpronoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word