自助(じじょ)

じじょ
noun
self-help; helping oneself
formalsocietyabstract
1. self-help; helping oneself
Taking care of oneself and solving one's own problems by one's own efforts, without depending on others. Common in disaster preparedness and social-policy language, often paired with 共助(きょうじょ) and 公助(こうじょ).
災害(さいがい)の備(そな)えは自助(じじょ)が基本(きほん)だ。
Disaster preparation starts with helping yourself.
自助(じじょ)・共助(きょうじょ)・公助(こうじょ)の考(かんが)え方(かた)を学(まな)ぶ。
We learn about self-help, mutual help, and public help.
大地震(おおじしん)の直後(ちょくご)は救助(きゅうじょ)がすぐに来(こ)ないので、自助(じじょ)の準備(じゅんび)が命(いのち)を守(まも)る。
Help does not arrive right after a big earthquake, so preparing to help yourself saves lives.

From 自(じ) (self) + 助(じょ) (help).

Common collocations

Cultural note

The three-part slogan 自助(じじょ)・共助(きょうじょ)・公助(こうじょ) is standard in Japanese disaster planning: first protect yourself and your family, then help your neighbors, then rely on government aid.

Watch out

次女(じじょ) (second daughter) has the same reading.

Related Words

Related: 公助(こうじょ) (public assistance)
general
Added 2026.10.19 21:49 · Revised 2026.10.19 21:53
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