Japanese word

自治

Pronunciation

Romajijichi

Meaning

  • nounautonomy

Example

この町は自治を大切にしています。ko no machi wa ji chi o tai setsu ni shi te i ma su

This town values autonomy.

Illustration for 自治 (autonomy)

More examples

住民が地域の自治について話し合っています。jū min ga chi iki no ji chi ni tsu i te hana shi a tte i ma su

The residents are discussing local autonomy.

Core concept

Expresses the idea that the people within a group take responsibility for deciding and managing matters that concern them.

Common phrases

  • 自治を尊重するji chi o son chō su ru

    respect autonomy

  • 自治を認めるji chi o mito me ru

    recognize autonomy

  • 自治を守るji chi o mamo ru

    protect autonomy

Definition in Japanese

国や団体などが、外部の命令に頼らず、内部のことを自分たちで決定し運営すること。kuni ya dan tai na do ga gai bu no mei rei ni tayo ra zu nai bu no ko to o ji bun ta chi de ket tei shi un ei su ru ko to

Word origin

自治 (jichi) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 自 (ji, "self") and 治 (chi, "govern"), so its basic meaning is self-governance.

Usage tips

  • 自治 (jichi) can describe a school club that sets its own rules and plans its activities without outside control.

Other meanings

  • self-governmentnoun

Opposites

  • 他律taritsuheteronomynoun

Related words

  • 自治的jichitekiautonomousna-adjective
  • 自治性jichiseiautonomynoun

Word lists with this word