自分らしくいて
jibunrashiku ite
To say "be yourself" in Japanese, you say 自分らしくいて (jibunrashiku ite).
This is an encouraging phrase used to tell someone to act according to their own nature and personality.
Which one should you use?
If you want to express the idea of "live as yourself", you use 自分らしく生きて. For an informal way to say "show your real self", you can use リアルの自分を出して. The dictionary form 自分らしくいる is used to describe the state of being oneself as a general fact or habit.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say "be yourself", use 自分らしくありましょう. You can also use the phrase 自分らしく as an adverbial fragment in casual speech, song lyrics or slogans by dropping the verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the encouragement into a polite request, add ください to the end of the phrase to say "please be yourself" as 自分らしくいてください.
How do you pronounce it?
jibunrashiku ite
Did you know?
- The concept of 'being oneself' in Japan is often tied to the cultural distinction between 'honne' (true feelings) and 'tatemae' (public face).
- The suffix 〜らしく is used to describe the ideal essence of something, such as 女らしく (womanly) or 男らしく (manly), regardless of whether the person actually behaves that way.
- Using リアルの自分 (real self) in the phrase リアルの自分を出して borrows the English word 'real' to distinguish between one's digital persona on social media and their offline life.
Examples in context
- 自分らしくいてね。jibun rashiku ite ne.Be yourself.
- 無理をしないで、自分らしくいてほしい。muri o shinaide, jibun rashiku ite hoshii.Don't push yourself, I want you to be yourself.
- もっと自分らしくいていいんだよ。motto jibun rashiku ite ii nda yo.It's okay to be more like yourself.
Example conversation
A friend is giving advice to another friend who is feeling pressured at a new job.
- 大翔 Hiroto緊張しなくて大丈夫だよ。kinchou shinakute daijoubu da yo.It's okay, you don't need to be nervous.
- 美咲 Misaki周りに合わせなきゃと思って。mawari ni awasenakya to omotte.I felt like I had to fit in with everyone.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は自分らしくいて。misaki wa jibun rashiku ite.Misaki, just be yourself.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、少し楽になったよ。arigatou, sukoshi raku ni natta yo.Thank you, I feel a bit better now.
