1.
self-expression
The act of expressing one's thoughts, feelings, personality, or identity through words, actions, art, fashion, or other means.
自己表現が苦手だ。
I'm not good at expressing myself.
絵を描くことは彼女にとって大切な自己表現の手段だ。
Painting is an important means of self-expression for her.
子どもの自己表現の力を伸ばすために、自由に遊ぶ時間が必要だ。
Children need free play time to develop their ability to express themselves.
Combines 自己 (self) and 表現 (expression). Frequently used in education, psychology, art, and personal development contexts. The concept carries positive connotations in modern Japanese discourse, often framed as a skill to be cultivated.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自己表現の手段: means of self-expression
- 自己表現の場: opportunity/venue for self-expression
- 自己表現力: ability to express oneself
- 自己表現が豊かだ: rich in self-expression
- 自己表現が苦手: poor at self-expression
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 表現: expression — broader term for any kind of expression, not limited to the self
- 自己主張: self-assertion — more forceful, emphasizing standing up for one's views or rights
- 自己紹介: self-introduction — the structured act of introducing oneself, not creative expression