Self-made man

A successful-looking man in his 30s with glasses and a beard.

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WotD: Self-made man

A self-made man is someone who attains success through their own effort and determination, rather than by inheriting money or relying on family connections.


This term describes people, not just men, who build their own success by learning, working hard, and staying persistent, even when things get tough.

They are the epitome of the proverb, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

The phrase self-made man is often used to describe entrepreneurs, inventors, or anyone who has achieved much on their own.

For instance, if someone starts a small business and grows it into a large company without family money, people may call them a self-made man or woman.

Many cultures like this idea because it highlights independence and hard work.

In everyday conversation, you could say, “He is a self-made man because he started with nothing and built his own company.”

Or, “Many people want to become a self-made man because they admire others who work hard to reach their goals.”

It is generally easier to become a self-made man in Canada than in Japan.

In Canada, people are encouraged to try new things and take risks.

There are many chances to start a business or switch careers, and society values personal achievement.

If someone fails, they often get another chance.

In Japan, it is harder to become a self-made man.

People are expected to stay with the same company for a long time and follow group rules.

There is less support for starting new businesses, and failure can be seen as shameful.

Notice that none of the world’s major tech companies are from Japan.

Can you think of a Japanese tech company or app that became a global hit since 2000? 


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).  

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 73.  

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 




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