Translation guide
Describes someone who stubbornly follows their own desires or opinions, often ignoring others' advice or expectations. Japanese has several nuanced terms ranging from neutral self-assertion to negative stubbornness.
To describe a person who insists on their own way, often in a negative sense.
The most common and versatile word for selfish or self-willed behavior. Can be used for both children and adults, and ranges from mild to strong selfishness.
He is self-willed.
Don't be so self-willed.
Emphasizes acting solely for one's own convenience without considering others. Stronger negative nuance than わがまま.
Please stop your self-willed behavior.
Doing as one pleases without constraint. Can be positive (carefree) or negative (self-indulgent) depending on context.
He leads a self-willed life.
Literally 'strong ego', describes someone who is assertive and unwilling to yield. Often used in personality descriptions.
She is self-willed.
To emphasize stubbornness and refusal to listen to others.
Stubborn, obstinate. Focuses on inflexibility of opinion or behavior. Commonly used for both people and attitudes.
My father is self-willed and never changes his opinion.
Stubbornly sticking to one's position, often over small matters. Has a slightly childish or emotional nuance.
Obstinate, perverse. A literary or old-fashioned term for stubborn self-will.
To describe actions done intentionally according to one's own will, sometimes with a negative connotation.
Intentional, deliberate. Used for actions done on purpose, often with negative implications. Not a personality trait but describes the nature of an act.
That is a self-willed act.
Intentional, deliberate. More neutral than 故意 and often used in analytical contexts.
わがまま is the most general and can be used for mild selfishness (like a child wanting candy). 自分勝手 is stronger and implies a lack of consideration for others. 気まま can be positive (free-spirited) or negative (self-indulgent) depending on context.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'self-willed' in all contexts. Choose the term based on whether you want to emphasize selfishness (わがまま), stubbornness (頑固), or intentionality (故意). Using a direct translation like 自己意志的 is unnatural.
He is so self-willed that he won't apologize.
a self-willed old man
His actions were self-willed.