Translation guide
Expressing that someone acts according to their own desires, often disregarding others' wishes or rules. This concept ranges from neutral self-direction to negative selfishness.
To describe someone who insists on doing what they want, often at the expense of others.
Literally 'to say selfish things'. The most common way to say someone is being selfish or demanding their own way.
彼はいつもわがままを言う。
He always insists on having his own way.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'selfishness' or 'willfulness'. Can be used to describe a person or behavior.
わがままな子供
a child who always wants their own way
To act selfishly or for one's own convenience, without considering others.
自分勝手にしないで、みんなのことも考えて。
Don't just do what you want; think about everyone else too.
To do as one pleases, to have things go one's way. Often used when someone manipulates a situation to their liking.
彼は何でも思い通りにしようとする。
He tries to have everything his own way.
To express that someone acts freely according to their own will, without negative connotations.
To do as one likes. A neutral expression for acting according to one's own preferences.
週末は好きなように過ごしています。
I spend my weekends doing whatever I like.
To do things one's own way. Emphasizes personal method or style.
彼はいつも自分のやり方でやる。
He always does things his own way.
To act freely, to do as one wishes. Often used when giving permission.
どうぞご自由にしてください。
Please feel free to do as you like.
To describe someone who stubbornly pushes their own view or wish.
To push through one's own opinion. Implies stubbornness.
彼女は会議で自分の意見を押し通した。
She insisted on having her own way at the meeting.
To insist, to assert stubbornly. Often used when someone won't back down.
彼は自分が正しいと言い張った。
He insisted on having his own way, claiming he was right.
To describe a scenario where someone's desire prevails, often after negotiation or conflict.
For things to go as one wishes. Focuses on the outcome rather than the action.
今回は彼の思い通りになった。
This time he got his own way.
To do as one is told, to be at someone's beck and call. Used when one person always gives in to another.
彼は妻の言いなりだ。
He always lets his wife have her own way.
The English phrase 'having one's own way' does not translate directly into a single Japanese word. Use context-appropriate expressions like わがままを言う (for selfishness) or 好きなようにする (for neutral freedom).
わがまま is more about childish or emotional selfishness, while 自分勝手 emphasizes acting for one's own convenience without regard for others. Both can be used for 'having one's own way' in negative contexts.