Translation and Meaning of: 自身 - jishin
The Japanese word 自身 [じしん] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its meaning goes beyond a simple translation, carrying important nuances in everyday and formal use. In this article, we will explore what 自身 represents, how it is used in different contexts, and why it is so relevant in the Japanese language.
In addition to understanding the literal translation, it is essential to know the situations in which 自身 appears, whether in everyday conversations, formal texts, or even in fixed expressions. If you have ever wondered how the Japanese emphasize actions related to themselves, this content will clarify your doubts in a practical and direct way.
Meaning and use of 自身
自身 is a reflexive pronoun that means "oneself" or "one's own". It is used to emphasize that an action or characteristic is directly related to the subject of the sentence. Unlike 自分 (jibun), which can also mean "oneself", 自身 has a more emphatic and formal tone, appearing frequently in speeches, written texts, and situations that require clarity.
A practical example is the sentence "彼自身がそれを決めた" (kare jishin ga sore o kimeta), which can be translated as "It was he himself who decided that." Here, 自身 emphasizes that the decision came exclusively from the person in question, without external interference. This type of construction is common in contexts where authorship or responsibility needs to be explicitly stated.
Origin and structure of kanji
The kanji 自 (ji) means "oneself" or "by oneself," while 身 (shin) represents "body" or "one's own being." Together, they form a word that reinforces the notion of individuality and identity. This combination is not random: since classical texts, 自身 has been used to indicate something inherent to the person or object in question.
It is worth noting that 自 also appears in other related words, such as 自然 (shizen - nature) and 自由 (jiyuu - freedom), always bringing the idea of something that comes from within. This radical aids in memorization, as its presence in like 自動 (jidou - automatic) follows a similar semantic logic.
Differences between 自身 and similar words
Many students confuse 自身 with 自分 (jibun) or 自分自身 (jibun jishin), but there are important distinctions. While 自分 is more generic and used in everyday situations, 自身 appears in contexts that require emphasis or formality. On the other hand, 自分自身 is a reinforced construction, equivalent to "oneself" in English.
Another difference is in flexibility: 自身 can be used for both people and abstract objects, as in "問題自身" (mondai jishin - the problem itself). On the other hand, 自分 is almost exclusively for human beings, which limits its use in comparison. Understanding these nuances avoids common mistakes when forming sentences.
Tips for memorizing and using correctly
An effective way to reinforce 自身 is to associate it with situations where the speaker wants to make it clear that something was done by oneself. Think of phrases like "I will handle it myself" or "It only depends on her" – these are ideal contexts to use the term. Repeating examples aloud also helps to internalize its use.
Another tip is to pay attention to how 自身 appears in authentic materials, such as news articles or public speeches. Japanese newspapers often use it to quote statements where responsibility is a central point. By becoming familiar with these patterns, it becomes more natural to incorporate the word into your active vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - I myself; emphasizes one's own essence or identity.
- 自己 (jiko) - I; refers to oneself, but in a more philosophical or psychological context.
- 本人 (honnin) - The person herself; used in legal or official contexts to refer to the person in question.
- 自体 (jitai) - In itself; refers to the very substance or nature of something.
- 自分 (jibun) - I; a more common and informal term to refer to oneself.
- 自ら (mizukara) - Personally; implies that someone does something on their own or of their own volition.
Romaji: jishin
Kana: じしん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: by itself; personally
Meaning in English: by oneself;personally
Definition: myself. The existence of myself.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (自身) jishin
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (自身) jishin:
Example Sentences - (自身) jishin
See below some example sentences:
Koufuku wa jibun jishin de tsukuridasu mono desu
Happiness is something we create for ourselves.
Happiness is created by you.
- 幸福 - happiness
- は - Topic particle
- 自分自身 - To yourself
- で - Location particle
- 作り出す - Create, produce
- もの - thing
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Shutai wa jibun jishin de aru
The subject is himself.
The subject is yourself.
- 主体 (shutai) - subject, individual
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 自分 (jibun) - yourself, yourself
- 自身 (jishin) - yourself, yourself
- である (dearu) - to be
Shitto wa jibun jishin o kurushimeru dake da
Jealousy just grieves.
- 嫉妬 (shitto) - envy
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - To yourself
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 苦しめる (kurushimeru) - cause suffering
- だけ (dake) - Only
- だ (da) - verb to be in the present
Honjin wa jibun jishin o shiru koto ga taisetsu da
It is important for a person to know themselves.
It is important for a person to know themselves.
- 本人 - means "myself" or "the person herself/himself".
- は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 自分自身 - means "oneself" or "the person themselves."
- を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action.
- 知る - verb that means "to know" or "to be aware".
- こと - noun that indicates an action or a fact.
- が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action.
- 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
- だ - verb that indicates existence or identity.
Watashi wa jibun jishin o komotte kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyōdesu
I need time to collect myself and think.
I need time to think and think about myself.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - expression meaning "oneself"
- を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
- 篭って (kagotte) - gerund verb meaning "to be isolated"
- 考える (kangaeru) - verb meaning "to think"
- 時間 (jikan) - noun meaning "time"
- が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
- 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
Watashitachi wa tsuneni jibun jishin o koeru koto ga dekimasu
We can always go beyond ourselves.
- 私たちは - 「私たち」
- 常に - Always in Japanese
- 自分自身を - Yourself in Japanese
- 超えることができます - We can overcome in Japanese
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
