7 Japanese Words That Will Facilitate Your Personal Growth. Wonderful!

When we delve into other languages ​​and their words, we discover how other cultures organize their world, their perception of life and even their personal universe.

Japanese culture is characterized by having words that encompass a series of ideas with which a Westerner will always feel surprised, attracted and even captivated.

Today in our space we invite you to do so. We are sure that you will find it as interesting as it is curious.

1. Ikigai:  our reason for existing

We should all have our own ikigai. A motive, a purpose, an illusion or a vital objective that gives us strength and energy every morning to start the day. According to this study carried out by the University of Talca (Chile), one of the main personal motivations to be happy is the awareness that we have health: being grateful for what we have, which is a lot.

However, as we already know, not everyone has figured it out yet. Hence, we spend many seasons as lost, without a direction and a motivation that leads us towards real and tangible happiness.

2. Kintsukuroi:  repair our wounds in gold

The kintsukuroi philosophy has a lot to do with resilience, with that delicate and precise art through which we manage to repair our wounds to rise up as stronger, more dignified, more beautiful beings.

In Japanese culture, the kintsukuroi refers to a technique that aims to repair broken porcelain pieces. Before discarding them, the artists put these pieces together using a putty that contains gold dust.

The cracks are visible, because those veins demonstrate the strength and a unique object that tells its own story.

3. Aware:  or the sadness of transience

Life goes by fast, it does not wait for anyone, it is fleeting, intense and, instantly, implacable. Loves sometimes end and friendships expire. What previously seemed safe to us ends up ending, forcing us to start from scratch. In all these processes there is “ aware”, one of the most important words in the Japanese language.

With it, that sadness is transmitted before the fleeting nature of things but, in turn, the need to keep moving forward, closing stages to start new ones. Although it may seem impossible, this study carried out by the University of the Basque Country (Spain) ensures that it is possible to turn the page with the appropriate strategies. Go for it!

4. Majime:  the person who knows how to be responsible

In Japanese, “majime” literally means serious person. However, rather than understanding it as the classic profile not very spontaneous, closed and with an imposing or sullen appearance, it refers above all to a reliable character.

This is someone we can lean on, because they are very responsible people, who do not judge or do dramas of anything or anyone.

5. Nankurunaisa:  one of the most beautiful words

Nankurunaisa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful words in ancient Japanese.

It refers to that very classic idea within motivational psychology, personal growth and even spirituality where we are urged to trust in the future. This is suggested by this research conducted by the University of California.

Thus, we must understand that the passage of time, together with our willingness to act and our spirit, will make everything work out, everything to heal, and that the opportunities we await will happen again on our horizon.

6. Gaman:  endure difficulties with dignity

Gaman is another of these words that are directly linked to the roots of Buddhism and that propose an exquisite philosophy in which to reflect to see life in a different way. 

This word actually collects several ideas:

• Self-control capacity.
• Need to be patient.
• Resistance to withstand those tough and complex times.
• The need to be resilient, to combine dignity and strength.
• Ability to overcome and try to do something every day to feel a little better.

In turn, “gaman” integrates an equally important and valuable idea: not to neglect others.

We should not be a burden or bother, but stand up as understanding people who, even in the midst of our problems, we manage to take into account those around us.

7. Wabi-sabi:  the beauty of imperfection

Wabi-sabi is another of the words that delve above all into aesthetics, art and nature. However, we can apply it to our personal reality and everyday psychology without problems.

It refers to the beauty that exists in those things that, on the surface, seem imperfect.

At the same time, it conveys the idea that what is truly beautiful is that which is simplest, most elemental and pure, regardless of small defects or imperfections.

We can apply something like this, without a doubt, to our daily lives to correct that common obsession to idealize beauty, to seek perfection in our lives, in our bodies or even in our relationships.

Let us accept that we are fallible and beautifully imperfect. Let’s learn to apply these simple but interesting ideas of Japanese culture in our day to day.