自分の
jibun no
The English phrase "own" can be expressed in Japanese using 自分の (jibun no).
If you wish to express collective ownership or the concept of being shared, the word 共有 (kyoyu) is used. To express the act of owning or possessing something in a formal manner, you can use the terms 所持する (Shoji Suru) or 所有する (Shoyu Suru).
Meaning: have rightful possession of (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The particle の connects the owner and the object owned to indicate ownership.
Which one should you use?
While 自分の is the standard way to say "one's own", 自身の is a more formal and literary alternative used in written or professional contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, 自分の functions as an attributive phrase that must precede a noun to indicate possession or relation to oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
jibun no
Did you know?
- The word 自分 (jibun) can be used as a first-person pronoun meaning 'I' in certain dialects or specific social contexts, such as among athletes or in the military, rather than just as a reflexive possessive.
- The word 自身 (jishin), used in the formal version of 'own', is also the word used to mean 'confidence' or 'self-confidence' in other contexts.
- While 自分の means 'one's own', Japanese often omits the word entirely if the owner is understood from context. Mentioning 'my own' explicitly can sometimes sound unnaturally repetitive or overly emphatic to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- 自分の事をしろ。Mind your own business!This sentence uses 自分の to tell someone to mind their own business.Tatoeba #149820 by small_snow, translation #16996 by CK
- 自分の部屋ある？Do you have your own room?This sentence uses 自分の to ask if someone has their own room.Tatoeba #9171558 by small_snow, translation #5474995 by CK
- 自分の目で見たわ。I saw it with my own eyes.This sentence uses 自分の to describe seeing something with one's own eyes.Tatoeba #9551538 by small_snow, translation #254819 by CK
- 彼はたくさんの書籍を所持しています。He owns many books.
- その会社は新しいビルを所有しています。That company owns a new building.
- 彼は最新のゲームを持っているよ。He has the latest game.
- 私は自分の時間を持つことが重要だと思います。I believe it's important to have one's own time.
- 彼の車His car
- 彼は自分のビジネスを成功させた。He made his business successful.
- 私は独自のスタイルを持っている。I have my own style.
- 171 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their cars.
- 健太 Kenta自分の車を持っていますか？Jibun no kuruma o motte imasu ka?Do you own your own car?
- 陽葵 Himariいいえ、まだ持っていません。Iie, mada motte imasen.No, I don't own one yet.
- 健太 Kenta僕は自分の車で通勤しています。Boku wa jibun no kuruma de tsūkin shite imasu.I commute in my own car.
- 陽葵 Himariそれはいいですね。Sore wa ii desu ne.That's nice.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
