自虐

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 自虐 (じぎゃく) is a noun for self-deprecation or harming and disparaging oneself.
• Basic usage: It describes using self-deprecation in a story to ease tension or excessive self-deprecation making listeners uncomfortable.
  • 彼は自虐を交えて失敗談を話し、会場の緊張をほぐしました。 — He eased the venue's tension by telling a story of failure with self-deprecating humor.
  • 過度な自虐は、聞いている人を困らせることがあります。 — Excessive self-deprecation can make listeners uncomfortable.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Easing tension and excess
  • Self-deprecation can ease tension in a story, but 過度な自虐 emphasizes that too much of it may make listeners uncomfortable.