1.
self-proclaimed, self-styled, so-called
Claiming to be something oneself, without external verification or recognition. Often carries a skeptical or ironic nuance, implying the claim may be dubious or unverified.
自称専門家の意見は信用できない。
You can't trust the opinion of a self-proclaimed expert.
彼は自称アーティストだが、作品を見たことがない。
He calls himself an artist, but I've never seen his work.
容疑者は自称会社員で、実際の職業は確認中だ。
The suspect claims to be a company employee, but his actual occupation is being verified.
USAGE NOTE:
Almost always carries a skeptical tone. When news reports use 自称, it signals that the claim has not been verified — for example, 自称会社員 in a crime report means the suspect says they are an office worker but this hasn't been confirmed. In casual use, it's often ironic or humorous.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 自称 + noun (self-proclaimed ~): 自称専門家, 自称プロ, 自称天才
- ～と自称する (claim to be ~)
LINGUISTIC NOTE:
In grammar, 自称 also means "first person" (as in first-person pronouns), though this technical usage is rare outside linguistics.