🧭 Does jibun mean “myself”?
When you first started learning Japanese, you probably thought jibun (自分) meant “myself.”
But in places like Osaka and Kyoto, you might hear:
“Jibun, do your best!”
In that case, they’re not cheering themselves on—they’re talking to you!
🔍 How does jibun differ between Standard Japanese and Kansai dialect?
🗾 Standard Japanese: jibun = “myself”
🔸 Example
私は每日自分でお弁当を作っています。
➡︎ I make my own lunch every day.
✅️ Explanation
In this case, jibun [自分] refers to oneself, the speaker.
It’s a common way to say “myself” in Japanese.
🎯 Kansai Dialect: jibun = “you”
🔸 Example
自分、明日ヒマ？
➡︎ Are you free tomorrow?
✅️ Explanation
In Kansai, jibun often means “you”, the listener, not the speaker.
It’s a unique feature of Kansai speech!
Same word, totally different meaning! In Kansai, “jibun” often means “you”!
💬 Sample Phrases Using jibun in Kansai Dialect
Jibun, ikeru?
2️⃣ 自分、どこ住んでんの？
Jibun, doko sunden no?
3️⃣ 自分、ほんま優しいな〜
Jibun, honma yasashii na~
4️⃣ 自分、最近どうしてん？
Jibun, saikin doushiten?
5️⃣ 自分、今日休み？
Jibun, kyou yasumi?
1️⃣ You good to go? / You okay with that?
2️⃣ Where do you live?
3️⃣ You’re really kind~
4️⃣ How have you been lately
5️⃣ Are you off today?
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