Translation guide
English 'herself' is a reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or to indicate that the subject acts on herself. Japanese often omits explicit reflexive pronouns, relying on context, or uses specific words for 'self' and 'by oneself'. The translation depends on the function: reflexive action, emphasis, or 'by herself' (alone/unaided).
Express that a female subject performs an action on herself (e.g., she hurt herself, she looked at herself).
In Japanese, reflexive actions are often implied by the verb and context without a separate word for 'herself'. For example, 'She looked at herself in the mirror' becomes '彼女は鏡を見た' (literally 'She saw the mirror'), where the reflexive meaning is understood.
彼女は鏡を見た。
She looked at herself in the mirror.
彼女は自分を傷つけた。
She hurt herself.
The word 自分 (jibun) means 'self' and can be used for any person. When the subject is clear, 自分 refers back to her. Use 自分を (jibun o) for direct object.
彼女は自分を責めた。
She blamed herself.
彼女は自分のことを話した。
She talked about herself.
自身 (jishin) is a more formal or emphatic word for 'self', often used in written language or to stress 'her own self'.
Emphasize that the female subject personally did something, not someone else.
自分自身 (jibun jishin) is a common way to emphasize 'herself' as in 'she herself'. It can be used as a subject or adverbially.
彼女自身がそれをやった。
She herself did it.
彼女は自分自身で決めた。
She decided for herself.
本人 (honnin) means 'the person herself' and is used to refer to the individual in question, often in formal or official contexts.
彼女自身 (kanojo jishin) directly translates to 'she herself'. It is clear and emphatic.
彼女自身がそう言った。
She herself said so.
Express that she did something alone or without assistance.
一人で (hitori de) means 'alone' or 'by oneself'. It is the most natural way to say she did something by herself (without company).
彼女は一人で住んでいる。
She lives by herself.
彼女は一人で映画を見た。
She watched a movie by herself.
自分で (jibun de) means 'by oneself' in the sense of 'without help'. It emphasizes that she did it on her own.
彼女は自分で料理を作った。
She cooked by herself (without help).
彼女は自分で問題を解決した。
She solved the problem by herself.
独力で (dokuryoku de) means 'by one's own power/effort', a more formal or literary way to say 'by herself'.
彼女は独力で会社を立ち上げた。
She started the company by herself.
Express that she thought or said something to herself without speaking aloud.
心の中で (kokoro no naka de) means 'in her heart/mind', used for thinking to herself.
彼女は心の中で笑った。
She laughed to herself.
独り言を言う (hitorigoto o iu) means 'to talk to oneself', often aloud but quietly.
彼女は独り言を言った。
She said to herself.
English reflexive pronouns are often unnecessary in Japanese. For example, 'She washed herself' is simply 彼女は体を洗った (She washed her body) or 彼女はシャワーを浴びた (She took a shower). Adding 自分を is often redundant and unnatural.
一人で (hitori de) means 'alone' (no one else present), while 自分で (jibun de) means 'by oneself' (without help). Use 一人で for physical solitude, 自分で for independent action.
彼女は自分を誇りに思っている。
She is proud of herself.
彼女は鏡で自分を見た。
She looked at herself in the mirror.
She defended herself.
本人が来ました。
She herself came. (The person in question came.)