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自
自 (readings: じ, し, みずか; Japanese kanji) means “self / oneself”. It is a Grade 2 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 2 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 自転車 (bicycle).
What does 自 mean?
| Kanji | 自 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | self / oneself |
| Readings | じ, し, みずか |
| Grade | Grade 2 (Easy) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 自
自 is read じ or し or みずか depending on the word.
Example words with 自
| Example | 自転車 (bicycle) |
|---|
Practice writing 自 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14