Translation guide
Self-esteem refers to one's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In Japanese, it is often expressed through nouns like 自尊心 or プライド, but the concept also appears in phrases describing confidence or self-respect. The most common equivalent depends on whether you're talking about healthy self-regard, wounded pride, or psychological self-evaluation.
Referring to a person's overall sense of their own value or dignity.
The standard term for self-esteem or self-respect. Used in both everyday and psychological contexts.
彼は自尊心が強い。
He has strong self-esteem.
自尊心を傷つけられた。
My self-esteem was hurt.
Often used for pride in oneself, but can overlap with self-esteem. Slightly more colloquial than 自尊心.
彼女はプライドが高い。
She has high self-esteem / is proud.
A more psychological term meaning 'sense of self-affirmation' or 'self-acceptance'. Common in self-help and therapy contexts.
自己肯定感を高める方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to improve self-esteem.
Describing a state of having little confidence or self-worth.
Literally 'have no confidence'. This is the most natural way to express low self-esteem in everyday conversation.
自分に自信がない。
I have low self-esteem / I lack confidence.
Directly says 'self-esteem is low'. Less common in casual speech but clear in meaning.
自尊心が低いと、人間関係もうまくいかない。
If you have low self-esteem, relationships don't go well either.
Talking about increasing one's self-esteem.
Standard phrase for 'improve/boost self-esteem'.
自尊心を高めるには、小さな成功体験を積むことが大切だ。
To boost self-esteem, it's important to accumulate small successes.
Literally 'attach confidence', meaning to gain confidence. Often used interchangeably with building self-esteem.
新しい趣味を始めて自信をつけた。
I started a new hobby and built my self-esteem.
自尊心 (jisonshin) is the closest to 'self-esteem' as a psychological concept. プライド (puraido) often implies pride that can be hurt or defended, and can sound negative if too high. 自信 (jishin) means 'confidence' and is more about belief in one's abilities. In many everyday situations, 自信 is more natural than 自尊心.
彼は自尊心が低いが、仕事には自信がある。
He has low self-esteem but is confident in his work.
自尊心 can sound formal or clinical. In casual conversation about feeling down about oneself, phrases like 自分に自信がない or 自己肯定感が低い are often more natural.