Translation guide
The concept of doing tasks yourself instead of hiring professionals, often for home improvement, crafts, or repairs. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the loanword DIY, or described with phrases about doing things oneself.
Referring to the hobby or practice of doing home improvement, crafts, or repairs yourself.
The most common and direct equivalent, widely understood in Japan. Used as a noun or modifier.
週末はDIYを楽しんでいます。
I enjoy DIY on weekends.
DIYで棚を作りました。
I made a shelf with DIY.
Literally 'Sunday carpenter', a traditional term for DIY home improvement, especially woodworking. Slightly old-fashioned but still common.
父は日曜大工が趣味です。
My father's hobby is DIY.
A general phrase meaning 'doing it yourself'. Can be used to explain the concept of DIY.
最近、自分でやることが流行っています。
Lately, doing it yourself has become popular.
Emphasizing that you are performing a task yourself instead of hiring someone.
The most natural way to say 'do it yourself' in a sentence. Use with the specific action.
修理は自分でしました。
I did the repair myself.
ペンキ塗りは自分でやるつもりです。
I plan to do the painting myself.
More casual version of 自分でする. Often used in conversation.
それ、自分でやれる？
Can you do that yourself?
From English 'self', used in contexts like self-service or doing something on your own, e.g., セルフリノベ (self-renovation).
セルフでリノベーションしました。
I did a self-renovation.
Using 'do-it-yourself' as an adjective before a noun.
Attach の to DIY to modify a noun, e.g., DIY store, DIY project.
DIYの店に行きました。
I went to a DIY store.
DIYの本を買いました。
I bought a DIY book.
Using the traditional term as a modifier, often for tools or hobbies.
日曜大工の道具を揃えました。
I gathered DIY tools.
The English acronym DIY is fully integrated into Japanese and is the most natural choice in most contexts. It's pronounced ディーアイワイ. You can use it as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
DIYが好きです。
I like DIY.
DIY is more modern and covers all kinds of self-made projects. 日曜大工 originally meant woodworking as a hobby, but can be used for general home improvement. DIY is more common among younger people.
若い人はDIYと言うことが多い。
Young people often say DIY.
DIYが好きです。
I like do-it-yourself projects.
彼は配管を自分でしました。
He did the plumbing himself.