The Meaning of kosei [個性] In Japanese

個性
こせい
Romaji: kosei N3

What does 個性 mean?

Translation and Meaning

individuality, personality, distinctiveness

Definition

個性 means the unique character or nature that distinguishes a person or thing from others. It captures the specific traits, temperament, and style that collectively form an individual’s identity and set them apart in social and cultural contexts.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Core sense: the unique combination of traits that distinguishes a person or thing from others
  • Nuance: can denote both intrinsic character and a distinctive style or presence in society
  • Scope: commonly used for people, products, and brands to express individuality

Etymology

ko sei is a Sino-Japanese compound read with on’yomi. It is borrowed from Chinese gèxìng, with phonetic adaptation that settled as kosei in modern Japanese.

Origin

Meiji period onward; the term entered widespread use to discuss individual traits in education, psychology, and social sciences as Japan modernized.

Composition

  • 個: a single unit or item; here it contributes the sense of individuality or a discrete person/thing
  • 性: nature, character, property; here it signals inherent qualities

Usage

Used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss a person’s unique traits or style. Commonly appears in education, psychology, marketing, and everyday conversation with phrases like 個性を出す, 個性を尊重する, and 個性がある in natural Japanese discourse.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a single 個 on a shelf with a tag reading 性 to remind you that this item has its own nature; remember kosei as the nature of a single thing.

Variations

  • 独自性 (dokujisei) — uniqueness
  • 特徴 (tokuchou) — feature, characteristic
  • 自分らしさ (jibunrashisa) — being oneself, personal style

Example Phrases

  • 子供たちはそれぞれ個性があって面白い。
    Kodomotachi wa sorezore kosei ga atte omoshiroi.
    The children each have their own personalities, which is interesting.
    Lista:
    • 子供たちは (kodomotachi wa) – the children
    • それぞれ (sorezore) – each
    • 個性が (kosei ga) – personality
    • あって (atte) – and
    • 面白い (omoshiroi) – interesting
    Here, 「個性」 means personality; it is the subject of ある in 「個性があって」, and 「それぞれ」 emphasizes each child.
個性