How to say "self-restraint" in Japanese

• 自粛じしゅくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbVoluntary restraint: choosing on one's own to refrain from an activity, rather than curbing feelings. Typical when people or organizations voluntarily hold off on events, outings, or operations.
  彼かれは自粛じしゅくの波なみに乗のらなかった。↗

  He refused to exercise self-restraint.
• 自制じせいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbSelf-control in the sense of keeping one's own emotions, desires, and impulses in check; the word for resisting temptation or not losing your temper.
  君きみは自制じせいしなければならない。↗

  You must control yourself.
• 節制せっせいCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveRestraint as moderation or temperance: limiting eating, drinking, and other indulgences over the long term rather than resisting a single urge.
  節制せっせいは最良さいりょうの薬くすり。↗

  Temperance is the best physic.
• 我慢がまんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbSelf-control as moment-to-moment endurance: bearing hardship or pain, holding back tears, anger, or an urge, putting up with something rather than abstaining from an activity.

Choose by what is being held back: 自粛 for voluntarily refraining from activities, 自制 for controlling one's own impulses and emotions, 節制 for moderation in habits, and 我慢 for enduring or suppressing urges in the moment.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 自粛じしゅくself-restraint
• 自制じせいself-control
• 節制せっせいmoderation
• 自己抑制じこよくせいself-restraint
• 克己こっきself-control
• 自制心じせいしんself-control
• 我慢がまんself-control