Chinese word

独立

Pronunciation

Pinyindú lì

Meaning

  • verbbe independent

Example

她想独立生活。tā xiǎng dú lì shēng huó

She wants to live independently.

Illustration for 独立 (be independent)

More examples

学生应该培养独立思考的能力。xué shēng yīng gāi péi yǎng dú lì sī kǎo de néng lì

Students should develop the ability to think independently.

Core concept

Standing on one's own rather than being directed, supported, or supplied by something outside.

Common phrases

  • 独立思考dú lì sī kǎo

    think independently

  • 独立做决定dú lì zuò jué dìng

    make decisions independently

Similar words

自立zì lì: To support oneself and continue daily life or work through one's own abilities.
摆脱bǎi tuō: To free oneself from a difficult condition or an extra burden through effort.
脱离tuō lí: To leave an original connection or state and no longer take part in it.

Definition in Chinese

表示不受外界影响、具有自主性或自给自足的状态，也可用于思想、地位等抽象层面。biǎo shì bú shòu wài jiè yíng xiǎng jù yǒu zì zhǔ xìng huò zì jǐ zì zú de zhuàng tài yě kě yòng yú sī xiǎng dì wèi děng chōu xiàng céng miàn

Word origin

独 (dú, "alone") + 立 (lì, "stand") forms the image of standing alone, which extends to personal, intellectual, political, and financial autonomy.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, the surrounding noun shows what kind of autonomy is meant, such as a person, a viewpoint, a country, or financial support.

Other meanings

  • self-reliancenoun
  • independencenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 独立精神dú lì jīng shénspirit of independencenoun

Word lists with this word