自発的
jihatsuteki
The English word spontaneous is translated into Japanese as 自発的 (jihatsuteki).
自発的 is an adjective used to describe an action or decision done by one's own free choice or without planning.
Meaning: done by one's own free choice, or without planning (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 自 (self), 発 (emit/start) and the suffix 的 (which turns a noun into an adjective), literally meaning 'self-starting'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adverb (spontaneously), change the final character to に, forming 自発的に. To use it as a direct adjective modifying a noun, add な after the stem to form 自発的な.
How do you pronounce it?
jihatsuteki
Did you know?
- If someone acts too spontaneously in a way that lacks social coordination, they might be described as 勝手 (katte), which implies acting purely for oneself without regard for others.
- In Japanese corporate culture, being 自発的 (self-starting) is highly praised, but doing so without consulting a superior can sometimes be seen as disruptive.
- The character 発 in 自発的 is the same character used in the word for 'departure' or 'to leave' (発車), emphasizing the 'launching' or 'setting off' aspect of a spontaneous action.
Examples in context
- 彼らから自発的な申し出がたくさんあった。We had a lot of spontaneous offers from them.This sentence shows how to use the adjective form of 自発的 when describing offers.Tatoeba #98739 by bunbuku, translation #304961 by CM
- 彼女(かのじょ)は思(おも)いつきのアイデアを提案(ていあん)した。She proposed a spontaneous idea.
- 今日(きょう)は思(おも)いつきで映画(えいが)を見(み)に行(い)こう！Let's go watch a movie on a whim today!
- 自発的な行動が大切です。jihatsuteki na kōdō ga taisetsu desu.Spontaneous action is important.
- 彼女は自発的に掃除を始めた。kanojo wa jihatsuteki ni sōji o hajimeta.She spontaneously started cleaning.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are discussing a project at school.
- 蓮 Ren自発的に動く学生は少ないね。jihatsuteki ni ugoku gakusei wa sukunai ne.Few students act spontaneously, right?
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね。誰かに言われてから動く人が多いよ。sou da ne. dareka ni iwarete kara ugoku hito ga ooi yo.True. Most people only move after being told to.
- 蓮 Ren自発的な努力が大切だと思うよ。jihatsuteki na doryoku ga taisetsu da to omou yo.I think spontaneous effort is important.
- 結衣 Yui同感。その方が成長できるしね。doukan. sono hou ga seichou dekiru shi ne.I agree. You can grow more that way.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 自発的, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
