Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'one's own handwriting' depends on context. The most common and natural way is to use the noun 自筆 (jihitsu), which specifically means 'one's own handwriting'. For more casual or personal contexts, you can use phrases like 自分の字 (jibun no ji) or 自分の手書き (jibun no tegaki). When emphasizing that something is handwritten by oneself, 手書き (tegaki) is useful. Note that Japanese often omits possessive pronouns when the subject is clear from context.
To refer to something written in one's own hand, often in formal or official contexts.
This is the standard noun meaning 'one's own handwriting'. It is commonly used in formal or written contexts, such as on documents, letters, or manuscripts.
この手紙は彼の自筆です。
This letter is in his own handwriting.
自筆のサインが必要です。
A signature in one's own handwriting is required.
A more casual way to say 'one's own handwriting', literally 'one's own characters'. It is used in everyday conversation.
自分の字が汚くて恥ずかしい。
I'm embarrassed by my own handwriting (because it's messy).
Literally 'one's own handwriting', emphasizing that it is handwritten by oneself. Slightly more specific than 自分の字.
自分の手書きのメモをスキャンした。
I scanned my own handwritten notes.
To emphasize that something is written by hand, not printed or typed, often by the speaker.
Means 'handwriting' or 'handwritten'. When context makes it clear whose handwriting it is, the possessive is often omitted. Can be used with の to modify nouns.
手書きの手紙を送りました。
I sent a handwritten letter.
この書類は手書きでお願いします。
Please fill out this form by hand.
A verbal phrase meaning 'wrote it myself'. It emphasizes the action of writing personally, rather than the handwriting itself.
このメモは自分で書いた。
I wrote this note myself.
To describe doing something in one's own handwriting, often used with verbs like 書く (to write).
The adverbial form of 自筆, meaning 'in one's own hand'. Used with verbs like 書く (write), 記す (note down), etc.
彼は自筆で手紙を書いた。
He wrote the letter in his own hand.
Means 'by hand' or 'in handwriting'. More casual than 自筆で.
申込書は手書きで記入してください。
Please fill out the application form by hand.
In Japanese, when the subject or possessor is clear from context, words like 私の (my) or 自分の (one's own) are often omitted. For example, 'I wrote it in my own handwriting' can simply be 手書きで書きました (tegaki de kakimashita) without explicitly saying 'my'.
自筆 (jihitsu) is more formal and specifically means 'one's own handwriting', often used for signatures, manuscripts, or official documents. 手書き (tegaki) simply means 'handwritten' and can refer to anyone's handwriting. Use 自筆 when emphasizing that it is personally written by the person in question.