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What is the Kanji for 'Self' and 'Ego'? | 我

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Self' and 'Ego', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Self' and 'Ego' is 我.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self, Ego

    Reading

    kunyomi

    wa

    われ

    ware

    onyomi

    ga

    Parts

    Hand

    Example Word

    我慢: endure or patience. The Japanese verbal noun '我慢 (がまん)' primarily means 'endure' or 'patience'. It refers to the act of enduring or tolerating something difficult, unpleasant, or painful without complaining. This word is often used in contexts where one must suppress their emotions, desires, or discomfort. For example: I endured the pain「痛みを我慢した」(いたみをがまんした). You need to have patience「我慢が必要だ」(がまんがひつようだ). It can also imply self-control, such as resisting the urge to do something, like in: I resisted eating sweets「甘いものを我慢した」(あまいものをがまんした). Note that '我慢' is commonly used in daily conversations and carries a sense of perseverance or holding back.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    182

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hand

    component

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Righteousness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Starve

Words Using

This kanji is used in 8 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 8 kanji contain the part 手 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Consent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Raise

    kanji

    Meaning

    Watch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beat, Strike

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rub, Chafe

    kanji

    Meaning

    Palm, Manipulate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fist

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gift, Seriousness

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 戈 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fight, War

    kanji

    Meaning

    Some, How many

    kanji

    Meaning

    Year, Years old

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fell, Cut down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Admonish, Commandment

    kanji

    Meaning

    Play, Frolic

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital, Suburbs of capital

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 我 mean?

我 means 'Self' and 'Ego'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.