独立
Meaning in Englishindependence (e.g., Ind. Day), self-support
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Word context
What it means
独立 means the state or condition of being independent or self-governing. It covers political independence as well as personal or organizational autonomy, emphasizing the capacity to operate without reliance on others.
Main meanings
- Political independence or sovereignty of a country or region
- Autonomy or self-governance within an organization or group
- Independent operation or self-contained status of a unit or component
How to use it
Used as a noun and with the suru-verb form 独立する to mean becoming independent; in formal writing it denotes political, organizational, or personal independence, while casual speech often uses 自立 for self-sufficiency; common patterns include 独立する, 独立した国, and 独立運動.
Variants and close terms
- 自立 (じりつ) — self-reliance
- 自治 (じち) — self-government
- 独立性 (どくりつせい) — the quality of being independent
- 依存 (いぞん) — dependence
- 従属 (じゅうぞく) — subordination
Composition
- 独: alone, single
- 立: to stand
- Combine to express standing alone or being self-sufficient
Etymology
Kanji etymology 独 denotes being alone or solitary and 立 means to stand; together they express the idea of standing on one's own. The compound uses the on'yomi readings in this form, yielding どくりつ (dokuritsu).
Origin
The term emerged in modern Japanese with Meiji-era modernization, expanding usage in politics, education, and media to express political and personal independence.
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)