Chinese word

独处

Pronunciation

Pinyindú chǔ

Meaning

  • verbbe alone

Example

他今晚想独处。tā jīn wǎn xiǎng dú chǔ

He wants to be alone tonight.

Illustration for 独处 (be alone)

More examples

我有时需要独处来整理思绪。wǒ yǒu shí xū yào dú chǔ lái zhéng lǐ sī xù

Sometimes I need to be alone to sort out my thoughts.

Core concept

Spending time apart from others as a calm, self-contained way to use personal space.

Common phrases

  • 想独处xiǎng dú chǔ

    want to be alone

  • 需要独处xū yào dú chǔ

    need to be alone

  • 习惯独处xí guàn dú chǔ

    be used to being alone

Similar words

单独生活dān dú shēng huó: Living alone and managing everyday life separately from other people.
独居dú jū: Living in a home without sharing it with other people.

Definition in Chinese

单独留在某处，占有个人空间，不一定带有孤独感，侧重个人独自活动或安静休憩。dān dú liú zài mǒu chù zhàn yǒu gè rén kōng jiān bù yí dìng dài yǒu gū dú gǎn cè zhòng gè rén dú zì huó dòng huò ān jìng xiū qì

Word origin

独处 (dúchǔ, "to be alone") is formed from 独 (dú, "alone") + 处 (chǔ, "stay or dwell"), linking being by oneself with remaining in a place.

Usage tips

  • A request to 独处 (dúchǔ, "to be alone") usually sets a boundary around time or space, but it does not automatically express anger toward the people nearby.

Other meanings

  • be solitaryverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word