漢字城 Kanji Fortress

自 self

On'yomi
ジ、シ
Kun'yomi
みずか-ら
Strokes
6
JLPT
N4
Taught in
Primary school, year 2

In the kun'yomi, the kana after a dash are written after the kanji (okurigana): みずか-ら.

Stroke order

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
自 is written in 6 strokes. Each panel adds the next one; the dot marks where the brush starts.

Remember it

An eye (目) with a little nose-line drawn on top — in Japan you point at your own nose to say "me," so this pointed-at face means self.

A common word

  • 自分 じぶん oneself

Example sentences

  • じぶんでやってみます。

    I'll try doing it myself.

  • えきまでじてんしゃでいきました。

    I went to the station by bicycle.

Don't confuse it with

Kanji that share a part

目 is a component. 27 kanji share it in all.