Proverb / Kotowaza
自業自得
To reap the consequences of one's own actions.
One's own karma, one's own gain
Quick Answer
To reap the consequences of one's own actions.
- Literal Image
- One's own karma, one's own gain
- Closest Equivalent
- You reap what you sow.
- How to Use It
- It is used when someone suffers a negative outcome due to their own actions, especially after ignoring advice. It carries a critical nuance, suggesting that the person has no one to blame but themselves.
Meaning
Refers to receiving the rewards or punishments of one's own conduct. While it originally referred to both good and bad consequences, in modern usage it is primarily used to mean suffering the negative results of one's own mistakes or bad behavior. It emphasizes that the responsibility for one's current hardship lies with one's own past deeds.
Literal Image
One's own karma, one's own gain
Equivalent Proverbs
You reap what you sow.
A direct equivalent regarding consequences.
What goes around comes around.
Focuses on the cyclical nature of actions.
You made your bed, now lie in it.
Used to emphasize personal responsibility for a bad situation.
How to Use It
It is used when someone suffers a negative outcome due to their own actions, especially after ignoring advice. It carries a critical nuance, suggesting that the person has no one to blame but themselves.
Tone
This proverb can be used with a critical or cautionary tone when pointing to negative consequences.
Examples
周囲の忠告を無視して暴飲暴食を続けた結果、体調を崩したのは自業自得だ。
It was his own fault that he ruined his health after ignoring everyone's advice and continuing to overeat and overdrink.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses formal Buddhist-derived kanji compounds. The grammar is a straightforward four-character structure, but requires understanding the specific Buddhist concept of 'karma'.
自
じ / ji
self / one's own
業
ごう / gou
act / deed / karma
得
とく / toku
gain / benefit / result
Usage Profile
Usage note: Avoid using this to console someone; it sounds unsympathetic and places blame on them.
Misread Risk
While the literal characters allow for positive results, modern Japanese speakers only use this term for negative consequences.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression originates from Buddhist scriptures. The term 'go' (業) refers to human actions, derived from the Sanskrit word karma. It is based on the principle of 'inga oho' (cause and effect), which teaches that the results of one's actions must be received by the person who performed them.
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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.