自 Kanji – oneself
The Japanese kanji 自 can mean oneself.
Meaning and Readings
How is 自 read?
自 has the onyomi readings ジ, シ and the kunyomi readings みずから, おのずから, おのずと.
In romaji, these readings can be written as ji, shi, mizukara, onozukara, onozuto.
Common Japanese Words Using 自
These common Japanese words contain 自. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 各自（かくじ） — each (person), everyone, individual, respective
- 私自身（わたしじしん） — myself
- 自ずから（おのずから） — naturally, in due course, by itself, of its own accord
- 自ら（みずから） — oneself
- 自営（じえい） — running one's own business, doing business on one's own, self-employment
- 自衛（じえい） — self-defense, self-defence
- 自衛隊（じえいたい） — Japan Self-Defense Forces, JSDF
- 自家（じか） — one's own house
- 自我（じが） — ego
- 自画像（じがぞう） — self-portrait