◉The difference between [ひとりで] and [じぶんで]

You may have learned “ひとりで” as “by oneself” in your lesson. ⇨ひとりで ごはんを たべます。 Hitori de gohan o tabemasu. ( I eat meals alone.) On the other hand, you may have heard “じぶんで” as “by oneself” too What is the difference between “ひとりで” and “じぶんで”?

Let’s check together:) 「ひとりで」is used for expressing “by oneself, alone” 「ひとりで」focus on “the number of people”, and indicate there is no one but me, or do some action with nobody. ひとりで かいものを します。 Hitori de kaimono o shimasu. I go shopping by myself. きのう だれと ばんごはんを たべましたか。 Kinou Dare to gohan o tabemashita ka. Who did you have dinner with yesterday? ひとりで たべました。 Hitori de tabemashita. I have it alone. (by myself) 「じぶんで」 「じぶんで」 is used for expressing that “by oneself, on one’s own” It focuses on and emphasises “do something by oneself without other one’s help” わたしの こどもは じぶんで ごはんを たべることが できます。 Watachi no kodomo wa jibun de gohan o taberu koto ga dekimasu. My child can have a meal by himself. いつもは ははが おべんとうを つくりますが、きょうは じぶんで つくりました。 Itsumo wa haha ga obentou o tsukurimasuga, kyou wa jibun de tsukurimashita. My mother always makes Bento for me, but today, I made Bento for myself. So, if someone asked you “だれと ばんごはんを たべましたか。”, you can’t answer “じぶんで たべました。” I hope you enjoy learning and talking Japanese

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