The Meaning of jidou [自動] In Japanese

自動
じどう
Romaji: jidou N5

What does 自動 mean?

Translation and Meaning

automatic, self-operating

Definition

It means automatic or self-operated. In everyday and technical Japanese, it describes devices, processes, or mechanisms that operate without human input.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Automatic/automatic operation: describes devices or systems that function without manual input.
  • Prefix usage: forms auto- compounds such as 自動車 (jidōsha) and 自動化 (jidōka).
  • Adverbial form: 自動的に (jidō-teki ni) expresses doing something in an automatic manner.

Etymology

自 self; 動 move; ji-dō (jidō) is the on’yomi pronunciation used in compounds, reflecting its formation as a Sino-Japanese compound.

Composition

  • 自: self
  • 動: move
  • Combination: implies movement initiated by the self, hence automatic operation

Usage

Used as a noun to denote automatic operation or as a prefix in compound terms; in formal and technical contexts it appears in signage and product descriptions. Common usages include 自動ドア, 自動車, 自動化; the adverbial form 自動的に describes performing an action in an automatic way.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a door labeled 自動 that opens by itself; remember the meaning by pairing self (自) with movement (動) as ‘self-move’ in action.

Variations

  • manual — 手動 (shudō)
  • auto- prefix in compounds — 自動- (jidō-)
  • adverbial form — 自動的に (jidō-teki ni)

Example Phrases

  • 自動で洗濯機が回る音を聞きながら朝を迎えた。
    jidou de sentakuki ga mawaru oto o kikinagara asa o mukaeta.
    I woke up to the sound of the washing machine turning automatically.
    Lista:
    • 自動 (jidou) – automatic
    • で (de) – by
    • 洗濯機 (sentakuki) – washing machine
    • が (ga) – (subject marker)
    • 回る (mawaru) – to turn
    • 音 (oto) – sound
    • を (o) – (object marker)
    • 聞きながら (kikinagara) – while listening
    • 朝 (asa) – morning
    • を (o) – (object marker)
    • 迎えた (mukaeta) – greeted
    The word 「自動」 here forms 自動で to mean ‘automatically’, modifying the verb, indicating manner.
自動