What Does 自 Mean in Japanese?
自 expresses the idea of self or oneself.
It appears in high-frequency words such as 自分, 自由, 自動, and 自転車.
The on’yomi ジ is especially common in everyday compounds.
Reading
On’yomi: ジ (ji), シ (shi)
Kun’yomi: みずか-ら (mizuka-ra)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 自 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | self, oneself |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
自 points back to the subject or source of an action. In compounds it can express self-directed action, personal identity, or something operating automatically.
Common Words
- 自分（じぶん / jibun） — oneself, myself
- 自由（じゆう / jiyuu） — freedom, free
- 自動（じどう / jidou） — automatic
- 自転車（じてんしゃ / jitensha） — bicycle
- 自信（じしん / jishin） — self-confidence
- 自宅（じたく / jitaku） — one’s home
Example Sentences
-
自分の名前を書いてください。
じぶんのなまえをかいてください。 / Jibun no namae o kaite kudasai.
Please write your own name.
-
今日は自由な時間があります。
きょうはじゆうなじかんがあります。 / Kyou wa jiyuu na jikan ga arimasu.
I have free time today.
-
駅まで自転車で行きます。
えきまでじてんしゃでいきます。 / Eki made jitensha de ikimasu.
I go to the station by bicycle.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The on’yomi ジ is common in 自分, 自由, 自動, and 自信. The kun’yomi みずから is more formal and means personally or by oneself.
Summary
自 means self and is a highly productive kanji in words about identity, freedom, confidence, and automatic systems.