Self-loathing is the painful internal state of rejecting or disliking one's own character or actions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A deep feeling of dislike toward oneself.
- Often triggered by personal failure or regret.
- Commonly used in the phrase 'falling into self-loathing'.
Overview
自己嫌悪とは、自分自身の存在や行動を否定的に捉え、嫌悪感を抱く感情を指します。心理学的な側面から見ると、自尊心の低下や完璧主義的な傾向が引き金になることが多いです。2) Usage Patterns: この言葉は「自己嫌悪に陥る」という慣用句で非常によく使われます。また、「自己嫌悪に駆られる」という表現も一般的で、感情が抑えられない様子を表します。3) Common Contexts: 仕事でミスをした時、つい他人を傷つけてしまった時、あるいは目標を達成できずに怠惰な自分を感じた時などに用いられます。日常生活の小さな後悔から、深い悩みまで幅広く使われます。4) Similar Words comparison: 「劣等感」は他人と比較して自分が劣っていると感じる感情ですが、「自己嫌悪」はあくまで自分自身の内面に対する嫌悪感であるという点で異なります。また、「後悔」は特定の行動に対する反省ですが、「自己嫌悪」はその行動をした自分そのものを嫌うという、より主観的で重い感情です。
Examples
つい怒鳴ってしまい、自己嫌悪に陥った。
everydayI yelled at them and fell into self-loathing.
自身の不徳の致すところであり、自己嫌悪の念を禁じ得ない。
formalIt is due to my own lack of virtue, and I cannot help but feel self-loathing.
また寝坊しちゃった。自己嫌悪だよ。
informalI overslept again. I hate myself.
過度な自己嫌悪は、心理的なパフォーマンスを低下させる。
academicExcessive self-loathing lowers psychological performance.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
自己嫌悪のサイクル
cycle of self-loathing
自己嫌悪に苛まれる
tormented by self-loathing
激しい自己嫌悪
intense self-loathing
Often Confused With
Inferiority complex is based on comparison with others. Self-loathing is internal and directed at oneself regardless of others.
Regret is focusing on a specific past action. Self-loathing is a broader emotional state of rejecting one's identity.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use this term to describe deep personal dissatisfaction. It is a noun, so it must be paired with verbs like '陥る' (fall into) or '駆られる' (be driven by). It is a strong emotional word, so use it carefully in social settings.
Common Mistakes
Do not use '自己嫌悪する' as a simple transitive verb. Ensure you include the particle 'に' before the verb '陥る'. It is not a word for casual, light annoyance.
Tips
Use with specific collocations
Always pair 'jiko-ken'o' with 'ni ochiru' or 'ni karareru' to sound natural. Using it as a direct verb is grammatically awkward.
Avoid overusing in professional settings
While it describes a common emotion, over-expressing self-loathing in a workplace can sound unprofessional. Use it carefully when discussing personal growth.
Japanese modesty and self-reflection
In Japanese culture, reflecting on one's own faults is often seen as a sign of maturity. However, excessive self-loathing is viewed as a negative cycle to be broken.
Word Origin
The word is composed of 'Jiko' (self) and 'Ken'o' (disgust/hatred). It is a compound noun derived from traditional Japanese kanji usage describing psychological states.
Cultural Context
Reflecting on one's errors is a virtue in Japan, but 'self-loathing' specifically carries a heavy psychological weight. It is often discussed in the context of mental health and self-improvement.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Jiko' (Self) + 'Ken'o' (Hate/Loathe). Imagine a mirror reflecting a version of yourself you want to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions劣等感は他者との比較が前提にありますが、自己嫌悪は自分自身に対する内面的な否定感情です。他人がいなくても、自分の行動に対して一人で感じることが多いのが特徴です。
まずは自分の感情を客観的に認め、受け入れることが大切です。完璧な人間はいないと自分を許す練習をすることで、徐々に感情が落ち着いていきます。
「自己嫌悪する」とはあまり言いません。通常は「自己嫌悪に陥る」「自己嫌悪に駆られる」といった動詞を伴うフレーズで使われるのが一般的です。
ダイエット中にお菓子を食べてしまった時や、大切な人を怒らせてしまった時など、自分の意志の弱さや言動を後悔する場面で頻繁に使われます。
Test Yourself
約束を破ってしまい、深い___に陥った。
約束を破るという行為に対して感じるのは否定的な感情であるため、自己嫌悪が適切です。
次の文のうち、最も自然なものはどれですか？
「陥る」という動詞と組み合わせるのが最も自然な日本語の表現です。
（ミスをした / に / 自己嫌悪 / 私は / 陥った）
原因＋結果の順序で構成するのが自然な日本語です。
Score: /3
Summary
Self-loathing is the painful internal state of rejecting or disliking one's own character or actions.
- A deep feeling of dislike toward oneself.
- Often triggered by personal failure or regret.
- Commonly used in the phrase 'falling into self-loathing'.
Use with specific collocations
Always pair 'jiko-ken'o' with 'ni ochiru' or 'ni karareru' to sound natural. Using it as a direct verb is grammatically awkward.
Avoid overusing in professional settings
While it describes a common emotion, over-expressing self-loathing in a workplace can sound unprofessional. Use it carefully when discussing personal growth.
Japanese modesty and self-reflection
In Japanese culture, reflecting on one's own faults is often seen as a sign of maturity. However, excessive self-loathing is viewed as a negative cycle to be broken.
Examples
4 of 4つい怒鳴ってしまい、自己嫌悪に陥った。
I yelled at them and fell into self-loathing.
自身の不徳の致すところであり、自己嫌悪の念を禁じ得ない。
It is due to my own lack of virtue, and I cannot help but feel self-loathing.
また寝坊しちゃった。自己嫌悪だよ。
I overslept again. I hate myself.
過度な自己嫌悪は、心理的なパフォーマンスを低下させる。
Excessive self-loathing lowers psychological performance.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
