1.
the self; one's own person; oneself (as an abstract concept)
A formal, written word for "the self" as an abstract concept, or as the first element of compound nouns such as 自己紹介 (self-introduction) and 自己評価 (self-evaluation). Rarely used alone in ordinary conversation — speakers prefer 自分 when referring to themselves concretely.
He is good at self-analysis and understands his strengths and weaknesses well.
A formal, Sino-Japanese word for "the self." In modern Japanese, 自己 is rarely used as a standalone pronoun — speakers say 自分 in conversation. Its main role is as the first element of a large family of compound nouns from psychology, business, law, and self-help writing.
COMMON COMPOUNDS (extremely productive):
- 自己紹介: self-introduction
- 自己責任: personal responsibility; at one's own risk
- 自己評価: self-evaluation
- 自己分析: self-analysis
- 自己主張: self-assertion
- 自己満足: self-satisfaction; complacency (often negative)
- 自己中心的: self-centered
- 自己嫌悪: self-loathing
- 自己実現: self-actualization; self-realization
- 自己流: one's own style; self-taught way
- 自己PR: self-promotion (job interviews)
Similar words
- 自分: oneself; myself — the ordinary, conversational word; used as a pronoun and in everyday speech.
- 自己: the self — written/abstract; used almost exclusively in compounds and formal writing.
- 本人: the person themselves; in person — used to distinguish a person from a proxy or representative.
- 我: I; self — literary and philosophical.
Usage warning
Do not use 自己 in place of 自分 in normal sentences. Saying 自己は学生です is unnatural — say 自分は学生です (or simply 私は学生です).
自己 is best thought of as a stem for building abstract compounds rather than a pronoun.