Translation guide
Describes direct personal experience or information obtained directly from the original source, not through others.
To say that you experienced or saw something yourself, not through someone else.
Adverb meaning 'directly'. Used to emphasize that you did or experienced something personally, without an intermediary.
To say that information comes directly from the person involved or the original source, not secondhand.
直接 is the most versatile way to express 'firsthand'. It can be used with many verbs like 見る (to see), 聞く (to hear), 体験する (to experience), etc. Place it before the verb.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'firsthand' as an adjective (e.g., 'firsthand experience'). Instead, use adverbial phrases like 直接 or 実際に, or rephrase the sentence.
直接見ました。
I saw it firsthand.
直接話を聞きました。
I heard the story firsthand.
Literally 'with my own eyes'. Emphasizes visual firsthand experience.
自分の目で確かめたい。
I want to see it firsthand.
Adverb meaning 'actually' or 'in reality'. Used to stress that something was done in practice, not just in theory.
実際に体験してみないとわからない。
You won't know until you experience it firsthand.
Literally 'with one's body'. A more emphatic, often serious way to say 'firsthand', implying personal and sometimes difficult experience.
戦争の悲惨さを身をもって体験した。
I experienced the horrors of war firsthand.
Same adverb as above, but used with verbs like 'hear' or 'get information'.
直接本人から聞いた。
I heard it firsthand from the person themselves.
Literally 'raw voice'. Refers to unfiltered, direct opinions or accounts from the source.
被災者の生の声を聞くことができた。
I was able to hear firsthand accounts from the disaster victims.
Technical term for 'primary source' or 'firsthand information'. Used in academic or journalistic contexts.
この記事は一次情報に基づいている。
This article is based on firsthand information.