自 己 肯 定 感(じここうていかん)

じここうていかん

noun

self-esteem; self-affirmation

1. self-esteem; self-affirmation; sense of self-worth

The feeling that one has value and worth as a person. A psychological concept that has become widely discussed in Japanese education, child-rearing, and self-help contexts.

自己肯定感(じここうていかん)を高(たか)めることが大切(たいせつ)だ。

It's important to raise your self-esteem.

子供(こども)の自己肯定感(じここうていかん)が低(ひく)いと、学校(がっこう)での生活(せいかつ)にも影響(えいきょう)する。

If a child's self-esteem is low, it affects their school life too.

褒(ほ)められる経験(けいけん)が自己肯定感(じここうていかん)を育(はぐく)むと言(い)われている。

It is said that experiences of being praised nurture self-esteem.

Usage

A compound of 自己(じこ) (self) + 肯定(こうてい) (affirmation) + 感(かん) (feeling). This term has become a buzzword in Japanese psychology, education, and parenting discussions. It is often discussed in the context of comparative studies showing that Japanese youth tend to report lower 自己肯定感(じここうていかん) than their peers in other countries.

Common collocations

自己肯定感(じここうていかん)が高(たか)い (to have high self-esteem)
自己肯定感(じここうていかん)が低(ひく)い (to have low self-esteem)
自己肯定感(じここうていかん)を高(たか)める (to raise self-esteem)
自己肯定感(じここうていかん)を育(はぐく)む (to foster self-esteem)

Similar words

自信(じしん): self-confidence — more about confidence in one's abilities
自尊心(じそんしん): self-respect, pride — focuses on dignity and pride

Related Words

Related: 自信(じしん) (self-confidence)

Related: 自尊心(じそんしん) (self-respect, pride)

Compare: 自己(じこ)評価(ひょうか) (self-evaluation)

general

Added 2026.3.9 15:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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