(じが)

じが
noun
self; ego
cognition
1. self; ego; self-awareness
One's sense of self or individual identity. Used in both everyday and philosophical or psychological contexts. Composed of 自 (self) + 我 (I, ego). Often appears in discussions of child development, psychology, and personal growth.
自我(じが)目覚(めざ)める
To awaken to one's self.
()ども三歳(さんさい)ごろから自我(じが)芽生(めば)える
Children begin to develop a sense of self around age three.
(かれ)自我(じが)(つよ)すぎて、チームワークうまくいかない。
He has too strong an ego, so teamwork doesn't go well.

Usage

自我(じが) refers to the psychological concept of self or ego. It is more abstract and intellectual than 自分(じぶん) (oneself), which is a basic pronoun. 自我(じが) is often used in developmental psychology to describe a child's growing awareness of being a separate individual.

Common collocations