← Kanji module
N4 · 6 strokes · 132. 臣 minister · Irodori #303 · Elementary 2 L3
自
oneself
Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Readings
- On’yomi
- シ、ジ
- Kun’yomi
- おの・ずから、おの・ずと、みずか・ら
Example words
自
じ
self-
自転車
じてんしゃ
bicycle; bike
自動車
じどうしゃ
car; automobile
自由
じゆう
freedom; liberty
Memory aids
Guided learn session →How to remember
Shape
Contains the "臣" component — use it as a visual anchor for "oneself."
Components
Contains the 132. 臣 minister component — use "臣" as a clue to remember "oneself" for 自.
Anchor word
自由 (じゆう) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.
Readings
First learned in 自由 (じゆう) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: おの・ずから、おの・ずと、みずか・ら — often used in native Japanese words. On'yomi: シ、ジ — common in compound words (熟語).