自主|じしゅjishu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbindependence; autonomy; self-reliance
Conjugation
Dictionary form自主する(じしゅする)
Polite (masu)自主します(じしゅします)
Negative (nai)自主しない(じしゅしない)
polite (masen)自主しません(じしゅしません)
classical zu / nu自主せず・自主せぬ(じしゅせず・じしゅせぬ)
Past (ta)自主した(じしゅした)
polite (mashita)自主しました(じしゅしました)
Past negative (nakatta)自主しなかった(じしゅしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)自主しませんでした(じしゅしませんでした)
Te form自主して(じしゅして)
Potential自主できる(じしゅできる)
Passive自主される(じしゅされる)
Causative自主させる(じしゅさせる)
Causative passive自主させられる(じしゅさせられる)
Conditional (ba)自主すれば(じしゅすれば)
tara自主したら(じしゅしたら)
Volitional自主しよう(じしゅしよう)
polite (mashou)自主しましょう(じしゅしましょう)
Imperative自主しろ(じしゅしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym自治じちNeutralFor a group or region managing its own affairs, as in 「地方自治」; 自主 is about an individual actively deciding their own actions.
  • Synonym自立じりつNeutralIndependence in economic and daily life, without relying on others; 自主 stresses making one's own decisions.
  • Synonym独立どくりつNeutralThe most general word: independence for a nation or an individual; 自主 stresses actively deciding one's own actions.
  • Synonym自律じりつNeutralRestraining yourself by your own standards, as in 「自律した生活」; 自主 stresses making one's own decisions.
  • Related自由じゆうNeutralFreedom from constraint or control; 自主 stresses actively deciding for oneself rather than simply being unrestricted.
  • Related独立独歩どくりつどっぽWrittenA written four-character idiom: relying on no one and standing on your own; 自主 is the more concise choice.
  • Related自足じそくWrittenWritten word for self-sufficiency, and also self-satisfaction; 自主 stresses deciding on one's own.
  • Related独立独行どくりつどっこうWrittenA written four-character idiom: acting by one's own convictions; 自主 is more concise.
  • Related自主独往じしゅどくおうWrittenA written four-character idiom: living independently by one's own will and judgment; 自主 is more concise.
  • Antonym従属じゅうぞくNeutralNeutral antonym: subordination — being under another's control or depending on them, the opposite of 自主.
  • Antonym他律たりつWrittenWritten antonym: being directed or bound by others instead of acting on one's own will — the opposite of 自主.

Use 「自主」 for deciding and acting on your own initiative, as in 「自主練習」. Pick 「自治」 for a group or region managing its own affairs, 「自立」 or the more general 「独立」 for economic and everyday independence, 「自律」 for self-discipline, 「自由」 for freedom from restraint. 「独立独歩」「独立独行」「自主独往」 and 「自足」 suit written prose. Antonyms: 「従属」, and 「他律」 in formal writing.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 他ほかからの束縛そくばくや強制きょうせい、保護ほごや干渉かんしょうを受うけることなく、自身じしんが主ぬしとなって判断はんだんしたり行動こうどうしたりすること。
  2. 他ほかからの束縛そくばくや強制きょうせい、保護ほごや干渉かんしょうを受うけることなく、自身じしんが主ぬしとなって判断はんだんしたり行動こうどうしたりする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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