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自若 (じじゃく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

自じ若じゃく

じ

じゃ

く

Meanings

1

na-adjective, taru-adjective

self-possessed; composed; unruffled

Literary or formal adjective describing a calm, unshaken demeanor even under pressure. Often used in the phrase 自若として.

彼かれはどんな時ときでも自じ若じゃくとしている。
He remains composed no matter what happens.
自じ若じゃくとして試し練れんに立たち向むかう。
Facing the ordeal with unruffled calm.

Kanji

自oneself
若young, if, perhaps

Similar words

冷れい静せい
冷静 is a common, everyday word for calmness and composure, while 自若 is a more literary, elevated term emphasizing unshakable self-possession.
泰たい然ぜん
泰然 also means calm and composed, often in the face of difficulty, and is similarly literary; 自若 focuses more on inner self-possession.

Etymology

Composed of 自 (self) and 若 (young, but here likely used phonetically or with an extended meaning of 'as if'). The exact derivation is uncertain; the compound is a classical Chinese borrowing meaning 'self-possessed'.