自: the kanji for self and oneself
自 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means self, oneself. Below are its readings, 12 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
自 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
自 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 12 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ジ (ji)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 自分じぶん · jibun | oneself |
| 自由じゆう · jiyū | freedom; free |
| 自動じどう · jidō | automatic |
| 自動車じどうしゃ · jidōsha | car; automobile |
| 自転車じてんしゃ · jitensha | bicycle |
| 自宅じたく · jitaku | one's home |
| 自信じしん · jishin | confidence |
| 自己紹介じこしょうかい · jiko shōkai | self-introduction |
| 各自かくじ · kakuji | each person |
| 独自どくじ · dokuji | original; one's own |
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 自然しぜん · shizen | nature; natural |
みずから (mizukara)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 自らみずから · mizukara | personally; oneself |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 会議の前に自己紹介をしました。Kaigi no mae ni jiko shōkai o shimashita.I introduced myself before the meeting.
- 今日は自宅で仕事をします。Kyō wa jitaku de shigoto o shimasu.I'm working from home today.
- 自転車で会社に行きます。Jitensha de kaisha ni ikimasu.I go to the office by bicycle.
- 資料は各自で印刷してください。Shiryō wa kakuji de insatsu shite kudasai.Please print the materials yourselves.
- 自分の意見を日本語で言いたいです。Jibun no iken o Nihongo de iitai desu.I want to give my own opinion in Japanese.
- この町は自然が多いです。Kono machi wa shizen ga ōi desu.This town has a lot of nature.
Questions about 自
How many strokes does 自 have?
自 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 自?
The on readings are ji (ジ), shi (シ). The kun readings are mizukara (みずから).
How do you introduce yourself in Japanese at work?
A self-introduction is 自己紹介 (jiko shōkai). A common pattern is your name, your company and role, then はじめまして (hajimemashite) and よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu).
What JLPT level is 自?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
People and family
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 自
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.