self-cultivation; self-improvement
Refers to the process of developing one's character, mind, or morals through personal effort, often in a philosophical or educational context.
He devotes himself to self-cultivation through reading and meditation.
修養 is a broader term for cultivation or training, while 自己修養 specifically emphasizes self-directed effort.
自己啓発 is more common in modern contexts for self-development, often with a practical or career-oriented nuance, whereas 自己修養 can sound more traditional or moral.
Compound of 自己 (self) and 修養 (cultivation, training). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a standard Sino-Japanese pattern for abstract concepts.