Translation guide
The act of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, or actions, often for moral or personal improvement.
Looking inward to understand one's own mind, emotions, or behavior.
The most direct and common term for introspection or self-reflection. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
毎日少しの時間を内省に使うと、自分をよく理解できる。
Spending a little time each day on self-examination helps you understand yourself better.
Emphasizes reflecting on one's own mistakes or shortcomings, often with a sense of regret or a desire to improve.
失敗の後で自己反省することが成長につながる。
Self-examination after a failure leads to growth.
A common phrase meaning to re-examine oneself or take a fresh look at one's life or actions. Natural in conversation.
転職を機に、自分を見つめ直すことにした。
I decided to do some self-examination when I changed jobs.
Often used for reflecting on a specific mistake or failure, with a nuance of regret. Can be too narrow for general self-examination.
彼は自分の行動を反省した。
He reflected on his actions.
Evaluating one's own skills, performance, or qualities, often in a professional or educational context.
Standard term for self-assessment or self-evaluation, commonly used in work or academic settings.
年に一度の自己評価の面談がある。
We have an annual self-evaluation meeting.
Means to view oneself objectively. Useful when talking about seeing one's strengths and weaknesses clearly.
自分を客観視するのは難しいが、大切なことだ。
It's hard to be objective about yourself, but it's important.
A profound, often emotional examination of one's life purpose, values, or identity.
Literally 'self-searching', this is a common term for a journey of self-discovery, often used when someone is trying to find their true self or purpose.
彼は自分探しの旅に出た。
He went on a journey of self-examination.
Means to explore one's inner heart or mind. More poetic and introspective.
静かな場所で心の内を探る時間が必要だ。
I need time to examine my inner self in a quiet place.
Checking one's own body for signs of illness, such as breast or testicular self-exams.
The standard term for medical self-examination, such as breast self-exam.
乳がんの自己検診の方法を学んだ。
I learned how to do a breast self-examination.
A loanword from English, commonly used in health contexts for self-checking.
毎月セルフチェックを行うことが推奨されている。
It is recommended to do a self-examination every month.