Translation guide
Self-esteem refers to one's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In Japanese, it is often expressed through nouns like 自尊心 or プライド, but the concept also appears in phrases describing confidence or self-respect. The most common equivalent depends on whether you're talking about healthy self-regard, wounded pride, or psychological self-evaluation.
Referring to a person's overall sense of their own value or dignity.
The standard term for self-esteem or self-respect. Used in both everyday and psychological contexts.
He has strong self-esteem.
My self-esteem was hurt.
Often used for pride in oneself, but can overlap with self-esteem. Slightly more colloquial than 自尊心.
She has high self-esteem / is proud.
A more psychological term meaning 'sense of self-affirmation' or 'self-acceptance'. Common in self-help and therapy contexts.
Please tell me how to improve self-esteem.
Describing a state of having little confidence or self-worth.
Talking about increasing one's self-esteem.
自尊心 (jisonshin) is the closest to 'self-esteem' as a psychological concept. プライド (puraido) often implies pride that can be hurt or defended, and can sound negative if too high. 自信 (jishin) means 'confidence' and is more about belief in one's abilities. In many everyday situations, 自信 is more natural than 自尊心.
He has low self-esteem but is confident in his work.
自尊心 can sound formal or clinical. In casual conversation about feeling down about oneself, phrases like 自分に自信がない or 自己肯定感が低い are often more natural.
If you have low self-esteem, relationships don't go well either.
I started a new hobby and built my self-esteem.