Translation guide
The act of giving oneself up completely, whether to emotions, impulses, a cause, or a higher power, often implying a loss of self-control or self-interest.
Expressing the idea of letting go of restraint and giving in to one's feelings, desires, or wild behavior.
Literally 'to forget oneself', this is the most natural way to express being so absorbed in an emotion or activity that you lose self-awareness or control.
He forgot himself in anger.
I danced, abandoning myself to the music.
Means 'to entrust oneself' to something, like a feeling or flow, implying a willing surrender without resistance.
I abandoned myself to sorrow and cried.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'immersing oneself' completely in something, often used for hobbies or work, implying a loss of self in the activity.
He is absorbed in his research (to the point of self-abandonment).
Means 'desperation' or 'abandoning oneself to reckless despair'. It carries a strong negative connotation of giving up on oneself out of hopelessness.
This is much stronger and more negative than general self-abandonment; use only when the abandonment is destructive.
He abandoned himself to despair and turned to drink.
Expressing the idea of giving up personal desires or ego for the sake of something greater, like a mission, art, or spiritual pursuit.
Literally 'self-sacrifice', this is the standard term for giving up one's own interests for others or a cause. It implies a conscious, often noble, abandonment of self.
I admire her spirit of self-abandonment (self-sacrifice).
Means 'selflessness' or 'unselfishness'. It emphasizes the absence of ego or personal desire, often in the context of service or devotion.
Literally 'throwing away the body', it means a desperate, all-out effort where one disregards personal safety or consequences. Often used in martial arts or figurative risky endeavors.
Implies a physical or extreme risk, not just emotional surrender.
Expressing the idea of giving up one's will to a divine power or spiritual path, often in a religious context.
A verb meaning 'to surrender' or 'to yield' something completely. In spiritual contexts, it can mean giving up one's self to God or a higher power.
To abandon oneself to God.
Means 'to entrust' or 'to commit' oneself to something. It conveys a gentle, trusting surrender rather than a forceful abandonment.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'self-abandonment' in all its English senses. Translating it literally as 自己放棄 (jiko hōki) is not idiomatic and may not be understood. Instead, choose a phrase based on the specific nuance you want to convey.
我を忘れる (ware o wasureru) emphasizes losing self-awareness due to strong emotion or absorption, often momentarily. 没頭する (bottō suru) focuses on deep immersion in an activity over time. Use 我を忘れる for emotional outbursts or trance-like states, and 没頭する for dedicated focus on work or hobbies.
To serve with a spirit of self-abandonment (selflessness).
捨て身の覚悟で挑む。
To take on a challenge with self-abandonment (reckless courage).
すべてを仏の御手に委ねる。
To abandon everything to the hands of Buddha.