Word
自立
Meaning in Englishindependence, self-reliance
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
What does 自立 mean? Independence or self-reliance; the state of being able to live, act, and decide without constant assistance from others.
Main meanings
- personal independence in daily life and finances
- taking responsibility for one's decisions and life path
- self-determination in education, career, and relationships
- psychological nuance of confidence, resilience, and agency
How to use it
Used in formal policy, education, social services, and personal development contexts. Common phrases include 自立する, 自立心, 自立生活; in family contexts it can denote moving toward independence from parents, while in professional settings it signals taking responsibility for one’s career
Variants and close terms
- 独立 — dokuritsu, independence
- 自主 — jishu, autonomy
- 自力 — jiriki, by one’s own power
- 依存 — izon, dependence
Composition
- 自 (ji) — self, one's own
- 立 (ritsu, tatsu) — to stand; to rise; to establish
- Combination — standing up by oneself, implying self-reliance and the ability to sustain one’s life without ongoing external help
Origin
Meiji period onward, as Japan modernized, 自立 entered common usage to describe personal independence from family and established institutions, later broadening to work and social autonomy.
Word class
noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N3
自身
jishin
oneself, self
N3
自然
shizen
nature, natural, spontaneous
N3
自動
jidou
automatic, self-operating
N3
自慢
jiman
pride, boast
N3
立ち上がる
tachiagaru
stand up, rise, start up
N3
立場
tachiba
position, standpoint, situation
N3
自殺
jisatsu
suicide
N3
独立
dokuritsu
independence (e.g., Ind. Day), self-support
N3
不自由
fujiyuu
discomfort, disability, inconvenience
Kanji