Proverb / Kotowaza
自画自賛
To praise oneself or one's own actions.
praising one's own painting
Quick Answer
To praise oneself or one's own actions.
- Literal Image
- praising one's own painting
- Closest Equivalent
- Self-praise.
- How to Use It
- Used to describe someone boasting about their own achievements or work.
Meaning
This proverb describes the act of praising one's own work, behavior, or achievements. It refers to situations where a person speaks highly of themselves rather than waiting for others to do so.
Literal Image
praising one's own painting
Equivalent Proverbs
Self-praise.
Direct equivalent for praising oneself.
Blow one's own trumpet.
Idiomatic equivalent for boasting about one's achievements.
How to Use It
Used to describe someone boasting about their own achievements or work.
Tone
Can be neutral or critical depending on context. Used to point out that someone is boasting.
Examples
彼は自分の料理を一口食べて「最高だ」と自画自賛している。
He took one bite of his own cooking and praised himself, saying 'It's the best.'
あまり自画自賛ばかりしていると、周囲から煙たがられる。
If you praise yourself too much, people around you will find you annoying.
この企画書は我ながら完璧だと、自画自賛したくなる出来栄えだ。
This proposal is so well done that it makes me want to praise myself, thinking it is perfect.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic kanji for 'self', 'picture', and 'praise', forming a clear four-character idiom with a literal meaning that matches its figurative use.
自画
じが / jiga
one's own drawing or painting
自賛
じさん / jisan
praising oneself
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this to describe another person can carry a critical nuance, implying they are annoyingly full of themselves.
Misread Risk
Do not read it only as a literal statement about paintings; it applies to any form of self-praise or boasting.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression originates from the act of writing one's own words of praise (jisan) on a picture one has drawn oneself (jiga). Originally, it could refer to outstanding talent, but today it is used to mean boasting about one's own achievements.
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Topics, Situations, and Tags
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.