How to say "oneself" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 自身じしんnoun, noun (suffix)Emphatic 'oneself': it singles out the very person in question, as in 'I myself' or 'the man himself'; use it when you want to stress that it was that person and no other.
- 自らみずからnoun'Oneself' as the doer: used when a person does something personally or of their own accord rather than leaving it to others — think 'he came in person to apologize'.
- 己おのれpronounA poetical word for 'oneself'; you will meet it in literature and fixed expressions far more than in conversation, and it is seldom the word you want for everyday reference to yourself.
- 自己じこno-adjectiveThe abstract 'self' of psychology, philosophy, and analytical writing: it treats the self as a concept, so it suits such contexts better than casual talk about yourself.
- 素すnounReally points to a person's natural, unadorned state — their true nature and feelings as they are — so it fits 'one's true self' and is not a general-purpose word for 'oneself'.
Choose 自身 to emphasize the person themselves, 「自ら」 for doing something personally or of one's own accord, 自己 for the abstract 'self' of psychology and philosophy; 己 is poetical, and 素 means one's natural, unadorned self.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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