Translation guide
The mental picture or idea one has of oneself, including how one thinks others perceive them. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through compound nouns, set phrases, or descriptive clauses rather than a single direct equivalent.
The overall conception or mental picture one has of oneself.
A direct loanword compound commonly used in psychology and everyday conversation. Neutral and widely understood.
彼は自己イメージを変えたいと思っている。
He wants to change his self-image.
A more formal or academic term for self-image, often used in psychological contexts.
自己像の形成は青年期の重要な課題だ。
The formation of self-image is an important task in adolescence.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'image of oneself'. Useful when you want to be explicit.
自分に対するイメージが低いと、自信が持てない。
If your self-image is low, you can't have confidence.
A simpler, more casual phrase, but can be ambiguous without context. Often used in everyday speech.
自分のイメージを大切にしている。
I value my self-image.
The evaluative aspect of self-image, often related to confidence or self-respect.
The standard term for self-esteem or self-respect. Often used when self-image is tied to feelings of worth.
自尊心が低いと、人間関係にも影響する。
Low self-esteem affects relationships too.
A common phrase meaning 'to have confidence in oneself', often used when discussing positive self-image.
彼女は自分に自信があるから、自己イメージも高い。
She has confidence, so her self-image is high.
The image one projects to others or how one is perceived socially.
A technical term for interpersonal image, used in psychology.
対人イメージを気にしすぎると疲れる。
Worrying too much about your public self-image is exhausting.
A natural, everyday way to express concern about one's public image. Literally 'how one is seen by others'.
人からどう見られているかを気にするのは自然なことだ。
It's natural to care about your self-image (how others see you).
Refers to one's public face, honor, or dignity. Often used in the context of saving face.
The image of the person one aspires to be.
The most common way to express 'ideal self'. Natural in both speech and writing.
理想の自分に近づくために努力している。
I'm working hard to get closer to my ideal self-image.
Literally 'the self one wants to become'. Very common in self-help contexts.
なりたい自分を明確にイメージしよう。
Let's clearly imagine our ideal self-image.
The English word 'self-image' is often translated directly as 自己イメージ, but in many contexts, Japanese speakers prefer more specific terms like 自尊心 (self-esteem) or descriptive phrases like 人からどう見られているか (how one is seen by others). Using 自己イメージ in every case can sound unnatural or overly psychological.
When discussing self-image, consider whether you mean internal self-perception, self-worth, or social image. Japanese often distinguishes these more explicitly than English.
A modern term for self-affirmation or self-acceptance, often used in self-help and psychology.
自己肯定感を高める方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to improve self-image/self-esteem.
彼は体面を保つことに必死だ。
He is desperate to maintain his public self-image.