1.
one's individuality; being oneself; personal identity
The quality of being true to one's own character and values. Emphasizes authenticity and personal uniqueness.
Usage
自分らしさ is formed from 自分 (oneself) + らしい (suffix meaning "like, typical of") + さ (nominalizer). It is a very common concept in modern Japanese self-help, career advice, and personal development contexts.
Common collocations
- 自分らしさを大切にする (to value being oneself)
- 自分らしさを出す (to show one's individuality)
- 自分らしさを失う (to lose one's sense of self)
- 自分らしさを見つける (to find one's true self)
Common patterns
The pattern 〜らしさ can be applied to other nouns: 男らしさ (masculinity), 女らしさ (femininity), 子供らしさ (childlike innocence).