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TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE

自

  

You will see so many instances of the primary meaning / reading of this kanji, that you may forget all about an irregular (but important) on reading. Below are some examples of words based on the “self”-related JI / mizukara readings, as well as some words based on the SHI reading. The SHI reading is the first component of the Japanese word for nature, shizen 自然.

 

JI / mizukara- ("self") based words:

 

自分(じぶん)self

自己紹介(じこしょうかい) self-introduction

自制(じせい) self-restraint

自殺(じさつ) suicide

 

SHI-based words

 

自然科学(しぜんかがく) the natural sciences

不自然(ふしぜん)unnatural

超自然 (ちょうしぜん)supernatural

大自然(だいしぜん)Mother Nature