Translation and Meaning of: 自動 - jidou

The Japanese word 自動[じどう] is a common term in everyday life in Japan, especially in technological and industrial contexts. If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and usage can be very helpful. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is written, and in which situations it appears most frequently.

In addition, we will see how 自動 relates to other and expressions, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively. If you have ever wondered what "jidou" means or how to use it correctly, keep reading to discover all this and a little more.

Meaning and Translation of 自動

自動[じどう] is a compound word made up of two kanjis: 自 (ji), which means "by oneself," and 動 (dou), which means "movement" or "action." Together, they convey the concept of "automatic" or "that works on its own." This idea is present in various contexts, from machines to processes that do not require human intervention.

In Portuguese, the most common translation is "automatic," but depending on the context, it can also mean "mechanical" or "autonomous." For example, 自動ドア (jidou doa) is an "automatic door," while 自動車 (jidousha) means "automobile." The versatility of this word makes it appear in various everyday situations in Japan.

Everyday Use and Practical Examples

Automated is widely used in products and services that operate without the need for manual control. A classic example is vending machines (自動販売機 - jidouhanbaiki), extremely popular in Japan. Another frequent use is in transportation systems, such as automated trains (自動運転 - jidou unten) or cars with automatic transmission.

Additionally, the word appears in expressions such as 自動化 (jidouka), which means "automation," an important concept in the Japanese industry. If you have visited Japan, you have probably encountered some service or device that included this word, showcasing how integrated it is into modern life in the country.

Tips for Memorizing 自動

An effective way to the meaning of 自動 is to associate its kanjis with the idea of something that "moves by itself." The first character, 自, appears in words like 自分 (jibun - "oneself"), while 動 is present in like 運動 (undou - "exercise"). This connection helps to anchor the meaning of the word in a more natural way.

Another tip is to practice with real examples, such as identifying automatic objects in your daily life and naming them in Japanese using 自動. Repeating sentences like "これは自動ですか?" (Is this automatic?) can also reinforce learning. Over time, the term will become part of your active vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 自動化 (Jidōka) - automation
  • オート (Ōto) - Auto, automatic, frequently used as a prefix
  • 自動的 (Jidōteki) - Automatic (adjective)
  • 自動運転 (Jidōunten) - Automated steering (vehicles)
  • 自動車 (Jidōsha) - Car
  • 自動制御 (Jidōseigyo) - Automatic control
  • 自動化する (Jidōka suru) - Automate
  • 自動化された (Jidōka sareta) - Automated (ive)
  • 自動化システム (Jidōka shisutemu) - Automation system
  • 自動化装置 (Jidōka sōchi) - Automation device
  • 自動化技術 (Jidōka gijutsu) - Automation technology
  • 自動化プロセス (Jidōka purosesu) - Automation process
  • 自動化機器 (Jidōka kiki) - Automation equipment
  • 自動化業務 (Jidōka gyōmu) - Automation operations
  • 自動化ツール (Jidōka tsūru) - Automation tools
  • 自動化開発 (Jidōka kaihatsu) - Automation development
  • 自動化モード (Jidōka mōdo) - Automatic mode
  • 自動化設計 (Jidōka sekkei) - Automation project
  • 自動化エンジニア (Jidōka enjinia) - Automation engineer
  • 自動化ソフトウェア (Jidōka sofutō wea) - Automation software
  • 自動化ロボット (Jidōka robotto) - Automation robot
  • 自動化プログラム (Jidōka puroguramu) - Automation program
  • 自動化ネットワーク (Jidōka nettowāku) - Automation network
  • 自動化サービス (Jidōka sābisu) - Automation service

Related words

自動詞

jidoushi

intransitive verb (no direct obj)

自動車

jidousha

Car

トラック

toraku

truck; track (running)

タクシー

takushi-

Taxi

オートマチック

o-tomachiku

Automatic

オートメーション

o-tome-syon

automation

カー

ka-

car

エスカレーター

esukare-ta-

Escalator

両替

ryougae

change; money exchange

電気

denki

electricity; (electric) light

自動

Romaji: jidou
Kana: じどう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: automatic; self movement

Meaning in English: automatic;self-motion

Definition: A device or machine designed to move by itself.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (自動) jidou

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (自動) jidou:

Example Sentences - (自動) jidou

See below some example sentences:

自動車は便利な乗り物です。

Jidousha wa benri na norimono desu

Cars are convenient vehicles.

A car is a convenient vehicle.

  • 自動車 (jidousha) - car
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 便利 (benri) - convenient, useful
  • な (na) - adjective particle
  • 乗り物 (norimono) - means of transport
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
自動車は便利です。

jidousha wa benri desu

Automatic cars are convenient.

The car is convenient.

  • 自動車 - means "car" in Japanese
  • は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "car"
  • 便利 - adjective that means "useful" or "convenient"
  • です - verb "to be" in the present, indicating that the car is useful or convenient

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

自動