自我|じがjiga[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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- noun, philosophyego
- noun, psychologyself
- noun, psychoanalysisego
- SynonymエゴNeutralLoanword covering the ego and selfishness, as in 「エゴイスト」; often negative in tone, whereas 「自我」 is neutral and psychological.
- Synonym自己じこNeutralSimply means oneself; very common in compounds like 「自己紹介」 and 「自己概念」. 「自我」 leans toward psychological or philosophical self-awareness.
- Related主我しゅがWrittenWritten and rare: a mindset or attitude that puts one's own interests and desires first, so it leans selfish; 「自我」 is self-awareness itself.
- Antonym無我むがWrittenWritten, Buddhist term for selflessness or being absorbed in something, as in 「無我夢中」; the opposite of the self-aware 「自我」.
- Antonym他者たしゃWrittenWritten word for other people; stands opposite 「自我」 in the self-versus-others pairing.
Use 「自我」 for the self in psychology or philosophy, as in 「自我が強い」 or 「自我の目覚め」. For selfishness say 「エゴ」; for oneself in general use 「自己」. 「無我」 and 「他者」 are its opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


