Word
自動
Meaning in Englishautomatic, self-operating
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
It means automatic or self-operated. In everyday and technical Japanese, it describes devices, processes, or mechanisms that operate without human input.
Main meanings
- Automatic/automatic operation: describes devices or systems that function without manual input.
- Prefix usage: forms auto- compounds such as 自動車 (jidōsha) and 自動化 (jidōka).
- Adverbial form: 自動的に (jidō-teki ni) expresses doing something in an automatic manner.
How to use it
Used as a noun to denote automatic operation or as a prefix in compound terms; in formal and technical contexts it appears in signage and product descriptions. Common usages include 自動ドア, 自動車, 自動化; the adverbial form 自動的に describes performing an action in an automatic way.
Variants and close terms
- manual — 手動 (shudō)
- auto- prefix in compounds — 自動- (jidō-)
- adverbial form — 自動的に (jidō-teki ni)
Composition
- 自: self
- 動: move
- Combination: implies movement initiated by the self, hence automatic operation
Etymology
自 self; 動 move; ji-dō (jidō) is the on'yomi pronunciation used in compounds, reflecting its formation as a Sino-Japanese compound.
Word class
noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N5
自動車
jidousha
automobile, car
N1
自我
jiga
self, ego
N1
自覚
jikaku
self-conscious
N1
動的
douteki
dynamic, kinetic
N1
動力
douryoku
power, motive power, dynamic force
N1
独自
dokuji
original, peculiar, characteristic
N1
動き
ugoki
movement, activity, trend
N1
自ずから
onozukara
naturally, as a matter of course
N1
動員
douin
mobilization
Kanji