also: じりょく
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
one's own strength; one's own efforts
Used when someone accomplishes something without relying on others; often appears in phrases like 自力で (by oneself).
He solved the problem by himself.
I still don't have the strength to stand up on my own.
self-salvation
Buddhist term referring to achieving salvation through one's own efforts, as opposed to relying on external divine help.
Jōdo Shinshū teaches salvation through other-power, not self-power.
She started the company entirely through her own efforts.
He escaped from the cave entirely on his own.
自力 emphasizes doing something with one's own strength, while 自助 focuses on the idea of helping oneself rather than depending on others.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading じりき is the most common.
Rare alternate reading; じりき is overwhelmingly more common.
Compound of 自 (self) and 力 (power). The reading じりき is the standard Sino-Japanese on'yomi combination; じりょく is a less common variant.