Japanese freedom kanji: 自由 — writing and meaning
The Japanese freedom kanji is a combination of two characters: 自 (self, 6 strokes) and 由 (reason, 5 strokes). Together 自由 (jiyū) means 'freedom', literally 'originating from oneself'. The word is not written with a single kanji, so both characters are used for the inscription.
Japanese freedom is described from within, not from without: not 'absence of shackles', but 'that whose cause is yourself'. The word was assembled in the 19th century while translating Western concepts, and it turned out more precise than the original.
How to write the freedom kanji in Japanese
自 — значение: self, 自分 — myself, 自然 — nature — онъёми: ジ、シ — кунъёми: みずか.ら、おの.ずから、おの.ずと — 6 штрих(ов). The first character of the word 自由. Click 'Show order' — the strokes will go as in handwriting.
The second character — 由
由 (5 strokes) means 'reason, cause, origin'. Paired with 自, it gives 'reason in oneself' — that is, the action originates from you, not imposed. The word 自由 was created by Japanese translators of the Meiji era, seeking an equivalent to the European 'liberty', and from there it returned to Chinese.
Words with the character 自
| Japanese | Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 自由 | jiyū · jiyū | Freedom |
| 自分 | jibun · jibun | Oneself, myself |
| 自然 | shizen · shizen | Nature; natural |
| 自信 | jishin · jishin | Self-confidence |
| 自転車 | jitensha · jitensha | Bicycle ('self-spinning-vehicle') |
| 自由時間 | jiyū jikan · jiyū jikan | Free time |
For the inscription, both characters are needed
The single 自 is read as 'self' and is not the word 'freedom'. If you need the inscription 'freedom', write 自由 in full — two characters, five and six strokes. Separating them or taking only one is impossible: the meaning will fall apart.
Write 自 yourself
Trace the character along the guides — the system will evaluate each stroke.
FAQ
- Which Japanese kanji means freedom?
- The word 'freedom' is written with two characters: 自由 (jiyū) — 自 'self' and 由 'reason'. It is not written with a single kanji.
- How do you say 'freedom' in Japanese?
- 自由 (jiyū). 'Free time' is 自由時間, 'freely, at one's discretion' is 自由に (jiyū ni).
- What does 自由 literally mean?
- 'Reason in oneself': 自 — self, 由 — reason, cause. That is, freedom is understood as an action originating from you, not imposed.
- Is 自由 suitable for a tattoo?
- Yes, it is an existing and unambiguous word. It is important to write both characters: the single 自 means 'self' and is not read as 'freedom'.
Updated: 2026-07-25