자신
jasin[t͡ɕa̠ɕʰin]
In Korean, 'yourself' is expressed as 자신 (jasin).
The word 자신 is a reflexive pronoun meaning 'your own self'. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'confidence' or 'self-assurance'.
Meaning: (reflexive) your own self (pron)
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, the word 자신 can also mean 'confidence' or 'self-assurance' rather than the reflexive pronoun 'self'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 자신 as the subject of a sentence, you add the subject marker 이 to form 자신이. If it is the object of a verb, add the object marker 를 to form 자신을. Additionally, it is frequently used in combination with the third-person singular pronoun 자기 to form the reflexive phrase 자기 자신, meaning 'oneself'.
Did you know?
- In Korean, referring to 'yourself' often requires a level of honorifics. Using 자신 is generally neutral, but in very formal settings, people may avoid reflexive pronouns entirely to remain polite.
- The word 자신 is a homonym with two different meanings based on its Chinese roots. One refers to the 'body' and the other refers to 'trust'.
- The character 自 found in 자신 also means 'from' or 'automatically', creating a semantic link to the idea of 'self' acting of its own accord.
Examples in context
- 도대체 누구를 속인다고 생각해? 자기 자신이나 속이지 마.Who do you think you're fooling? Stop fooling yourself.This sentence shows how to use 자신 when telling someone not to fool themselves.Tatoeba #13755155 by qlTmalffk, translation #8953940 by Nylez
- 너 자신이 돼.Be yourself.This sentence uses 자신 to express the idea of being yourself.Tatoeba #8368207 by Eunhee, translation #1490941 by BraveSentry
- 안녕하세요. 저는 김지현입니다. 선생님께서는?Hello. I am Ji-Hyeon Kim. And you, teacher?
- 자신을 믿는 것이 중요해요.jasin-eul min-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo.It is important to believe in yourself.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hun are talking about a difficult job interview.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 긴장하지 말고 자신을 믿어봐.neomu gin-jang-ha-ji mal-go jasin-eul mid-eo-bwa.Don't be too nervous and try to believe in yourself.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 고마워. 그래도 정말 떨려.Ji-eun-ah, go-ma-wo. geu-rae-do jeong-mal tteol-ryeo.Ji-eun, thanks. But I'm still really nervous.
- 지은 Ji-eun너는 충분히 잘할 수 있어.neo-neun chung-bun-hi jal-hal su iss-eo.You can do well enough.
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 자신감을 가져볼게.eung, jasin-gam-eul ga-jyeo-bol-ge.Yeah, I will try to have confidence.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 자신, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 자신, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
