自立（じりつ、jiritsu）
- independence

The Japanese word 自立 (じりつ) primarily means "self-reliance," "independence," or "autonomy." It refers to the ability to live and function independently, without relying on others for support, whether financially, emotionally, or in terms of decision-making. The concept encompasses taking responsibility for one's own life and being able to manage various aspects of it. This includes the capacity to make choices, support oneself, and live according to one's own values and goals. The act of becoming 自立 is often a process. It is a state of being 自立.

⚫︎ 彼は大学を卒業して、ついに自立した。 Translation: He graduated from university and finally became independent. ⚫︎ 経済的な自立を目指して、彼女は起業した。 Translation: She started a business to aim for financial independence. ⚫︎ 子供の自立を促すために、親は適切なサポートをする必要がある。 Translation: Parents need to provide appropriate support to encourage their children's independence.

自立 is used in various contexts, from personal development to societal issues. You can use it when discussing: ⚫︎Personal growth and development. ⚫︎Financial situations (自立 is often associated with financial independence). ⚫︎Social issues and policies related to supporting individuals to live independently. ⚫︎The education system and how it supports independence. It is a common term and can be used in both formal and informal conversations, but the level of formality might influence the surrounding words you choose.

自立 is written with the kanji 自 (じ, meaning "self") and 立 (りつ, meaning "to stand" or "to establish"). The reading is usually じりつ. The okurigana (hiragana following the kanji) is not used, since the word is written using only kanji.

⚫︎ 独立 (どくりつ): Independence, often with a stronger connotation of freedom from external control or governance, or becoming a separate entity. ⚫︎ 自主性 (じしゅせい): Autonomy, independence, the quality of acting on one's own initiative. ⚫︎ 一人立ち (ひとりだち): Standing on one's own feet, becoming independent (often used for young adults). ⚫︎ 自律 (じりつ): Autonomy, self-regulation, which is very close in meaning to 自立.

⚫︎ 依存 (いぞん): Dependence. ⚫︎ 他力本願 (たりきほんがん): Dependence on others (often used in a negative sense). ⚫︎ 甘え (あまえ): Dependence, or relying on someone's kindness.

彼は親の援助なしで自立した生活を送っている。 ・Translation: He is living an independent life without any help from his parents. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who manages their life without external support, highlighting their ability to be 自立.

自立するためには、計画性と努力が必要だ。 ・Translation: To become independent, planning and effort are necessary. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the need for a focused approach in the process of achieving 自立, and the actions needed to achieve that.

The word 自立 is formed by combining the kanji 自 (じ - self) and 立 (りつ - to stand, to establish). The etymology reflects the core meaning: to stand on one's own self, or to establish oneself. The combination emphasizes self-sufficiency and independence. The word originates from Chinese, but its use and application have been adopted and adapted within the Japanese language.