23
自
Self, Oneself
みずか(ら) (mizukara)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
Thousands of years ago, people in East Asia often pointed to their own nose—not their chest—when referring to themselves. Because of this custom, the ancient drawing of a nose gradually evolved into the kanji 自, meaning "self." Even today, many Japanese people instinctively point to their nose when saying "me."
Memory Trick
👁️➕☝️ Without the top stroke, 自 is the kanji for "eye (目)". Imagine placing one finger above your eye and pointing to yourself while saying, "Me!"
Readings
Onyomi: ジ (ji), シ (shi)
Kunyomi: みずか(ら) (mizukara)
Example Words
自分
じぶん (jibun)
Oneself
自動車
じどうしゃ (jidousha)
Automobile
自然
しぜん (shizen)
Nature
自由
じゆう (jiyuu)
Freedom
Example Sentence
自分で 宿題を しました。
じぶんで しゅくだいを しました。
jibun de shukudai o shimashita
I did my homework by myself.