独立をする
become independent
Littéralement: to do independence
Use this when someone officially leaves a company or family to start their own path.
En 15 secondes
- Used for starting a business or moving out of home.
- Implies a formal or structural separation from a group.
- Combines 'alone' and 'stand' to mean self-reliance.
Signification
This phrase describes the act of breaking away from a larger entity to stand on your own. It is most commonly used when someone quits their job to start a business or when a young person moves out of their parents' house.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about career goals
いつかはこの会社を辞めて、独立をしたいと考えています。
I'm thinking about leaving this company and becoming independent someday.
Discussing a child moving out
息子もようやく独立をして、一人暮らしを始めました。
My son finally became independent and started living on his own.
Formal business announcement
田中氏は先月、弊所より独立をいたしました。
Mr. Tanaka became independent from our firm last month.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, 'Independence Day' (July 4th) is famous, but the concept of 'Dokuritsu' is deeply tied to the Edo period's 'noren-wake' tradition, where a trusted apprentice was allowed to open their own branch of a shop using the master's brand name.
The 'O' Factor
Adding `を` (o) makes it sound more like a deliberate project. If you just say `独立する`, it's a bit more casual and common in daily speech.
Don't confuse with 'Jiritsu'
Use `独立` for business and physical separation. Use `自立` (jiritsu) for emotional maturity or being able to take care of yourself.
En 15 secondes
- Used for starting a business or moving out of home.
- Implies a formal or structural separation from a group.
- Combines 'alone' and 'stand' to mean self-reliance.
What It Means
独立をする is all about that big "I'm on my own now" moment. It comes from two kanji: 独 (alone) and 立 (stand). Put them together, and you are literally standing alone. It is not about being lonely, though. It is about being self-sufficient. You are no longer relying on your boss, your parents, or a larger organization. It is the ultimate "level up" in adult life. Think of it as cutting the umbilical cord, but for your career or lifestyle.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a regular verb. The を in the middle makes the action feel a bit more deliberate. You can say 独立する for a shorter version. It fits perfectly when you are discussing career goals. You might say it while drinking coffee with a mentor. Or you could use it in a serious talk with your family. It sounds proactive and determined. It is not just something that happens to you. It is something you actively choose to do.
When To Use It
Use this when you are talking about big life shifts. If you are a designer leaving an agency to freelance, this is your phrase. If a country is celebrating its freedom, this is the word. It is also great for describing a child who finally stops asking for money. Use it when the change is structural and permanent. It feels heavy and significant. It is a milestone word for your "big moves."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small things. If you learned how to boil an egg, you did not 独立. That is just basic survival! Also, do not use it for temporary situations. If you are just house-sitting for a week, you have not become independent. It is also not for emotional independence. For that, Japanese people usually use the word 自立 (jiritsu). 独立 is more about the physical or legal separation from a group.
Cultural Background
In Japan, the "salaryman" culture was the gold standard for decades. Staying with one company forever was the goal. Because of this, 独立をする was seen as a massive risk. It was almost like a rebellion! Today, things are changing. More young people want to be "nomad workers" or start-ups. Now, telling someone you want to 独立 often earns you a look of respect. It shows you have guts and a specific skill set.
Common Variations
The most common variation is 独立して (dokuritsu shite), used when connecting ideas. For example, "I became independent and started a cafe." You will also see 独立記念日 (Dokuritsu Kinenbi), which means Independence Day. If someone is very successful on their own, they might be called an 独立独歩 (dokuritsu doppo) person. This means they walk their own path without any help. It sounds very cool and a bit like a lone wolf.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal settings. Be careful not to use it for minor tasks; it is reserved for significant life or structural changes.
The 'O' Factor
Adding `を` (o) makes it sound more like a deliberate project. If you just say `独立する`, it's a bit more casual and common in daily speech.
Don't confuse with 'Jiritsu'
Use `独立` for business and physical separation. Use `自立` (jiritsu) for emotional maturity or being able to take care of yourself.
The Freelance Boom
In Japan, 'dokuritsu' is often synonymous with 'going freelance.' If you say you are 'independent,' people will immediately ask what kind of business you started.
Exemples
6いつかはこの会社を辞めて、独立をしたいと考えています。
I'm thinking about leaving this company and becoming independent someday.
A common way to express the dream of starting a business.
息子もようやく独立をして、一人暮らしを始めました。
My son finally became independent and started living on his own.
Shows the transition from relying on parents to self-sufficiency.
田中氏は先月、弊所より独立をいたしました。
Mr. Tanaka became independent from our firm last month.
The 'itashimashita' ending makes this very formal for business announcements.
ついに独立することにしたよ！応援してね。
I've finally decided to go independent! Wish me luck.
Casual and exciting tone for sharing big news.
うちの猫、最近独立をして自分でドアを開けるんだ。
My cat has become independent lately; he opens the door by himself.
Using a serious word for a small animal action creates humor.
独立をしてから、本当の自由の意味が分かりました。
Since becoming independent, I've understood the true meaning of freedom.
Deeply personal and reflective use of the phrase.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence about starting a business.
彼は３０歳で会社から___をして、自分の店を持った。
`独立` (dokuritsu) is the only one that means independence. `独身` means single, and `独占` means monopoly.
Complete the sentence to express a future wish.
将来はフリーランスとして___をしたいです。
To 'do independence' as a freelancer is a standard way to say you want to work for yourself.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '独立をする'
Talking to friends about moving out.
独立するんだ！
Standard conversation about career.
独立をしたいです。
Official business announcements.
独立をいたしました。
When to use 独立をする
Starting a Startup
Leaving a big firm to launch a tech company.
Moving Out
A graduate getting their first apartment.
History
A colony becoming a sovereign nation.
Freelancing
An artist taking their own commissions.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means to become independent, usually by leaving a company to start a business or moving out of a family home. It implies standing on your own feet structurally or legally.
They mean the same thing, but adding を makes the action feel more like a specific event or a formal choice. 独立する is more common in fast, casual speech.
Yes, it is the standard term for national independence. For example, アメリカが独立をした means 'America became independent.'
Absolutely. It is a professional and respected term. You would use the polite form 独立をします or 独立いたしました.
独立 (dokuritsu) is about separating from a group or organization. 自立 (jiritsu) is about personal self-reliance and emotional maturity.
Yes, if you are no longer relying on your parents for money or housing, you can say you have 独立をした.
It is called 独立記念日 (Dokuritsu Kinenbi). This is used for any country's independence celebration.
Not usually. For divorce, people use 離婚 (rikon). 独立 implies a positive step toward self-sufficiency rather than just ending a marriage.
Using it for small skills, like 'I became independent in tying my shoes.' That sounds very strange! Use it for big life changes instead.
It is significant, but not negative. It carries a sense of ambition and bravery in a Japanese context.
Expressions liées
自立する
To be self-reliant/mature
起業する
To start a business
一本立ちする
To stand on one's own (idiomatic)
独り立ちする
To become independent/adult
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