自虐(じぎゃく)

じぎゃく
noun
self-deprecation, self-mockery, masochism
emotion
1. self-deprecation, self-mockery, masochism
Making fun of oneself or putting oneself down, often for humorous effect. Can also refer to a broader tendency toward self-punishment or self-criticism.
自虐(じぎゃく)ネタで笑(わら)いを取(と)る。
To get laughs with self-deprecating humor.
彼(かれ)の自虐(じぎゃく)的(てき)な発言(はつげん)が面白(おもしろ)い。
His self-deprecating remarks are funny.
自虐(じぎゃく)もほどほどにしないと、本当(ほんとう)に自信(じしん)がなくなるよ。
If you don't keep the self-deprecation in check, you'll actually lose confidence.

A compound of 自(じ) (self) and 虐(ぎゃく) (abuse/torment). In modern usage, most commonly refers to self-deprecating humor rather than literal self-harm.

Common collocations

  • 自虐(じぎゃく)ネタ: self-deprecating joke/material
  • 自虐(じぎゃく)的(てき): self-deprecating, self-mocking
  • 自虐(じぎゃく)風(ふう): self-deprecating style
  • 自虐(じぎゃく)史観(しかん): masochistic view of history (political term)

Usage

In modern colloquial Japanese, 自虐(じぎゃく) most often refers to self-deprecating humor. 自虐(じぎゃく)ネタ is extremely common in Japanese comedy — comedians and everyday people alike use it to get laughs by making fun of their own appearance, habits, or circumstances.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 自慢(じまん) (boasting, bragging)
Compare: 謙遜(けんそん) (modesty, humility)
Compare: 自嘲(じちょう) (self-mockery)
general
Added 2026.3.12 10:24 · Revised 2026.9.4 9:42
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