Chinese Conversation · Level 24
90 words
Chinese word
独自
Pronunciation
Pinyindú zì
Meaning
- adverbalone
Example
他独自去了。tā dú zì qù le
He went alone.
More examples
毕业后，她独自生活在另一个城市。bì yè hòu tā dú zì shēng huó zài lìng yí gè chéng shì
After graduating, she lived alone in another city.
Core concept
The self is both the decision-maker and the source of action, so the task proceeds on a personal track.
Common phrases
独自去dú zì qù
go alone
独自生活dú zì shēng huó
live alone
Similar words
单独dān dú: Doing something with only one person involved.
自行zì xíng: Carrying out an action independently, without outside help.
Definition in Chinese
凭借自身判断或力量单独行动，同时含有不依赖他人、以自家方式处理事务的意味。píng jiè zì shēn pàn duàn huò lì liàng dān dú xíng dòng tóng shí hán yǒu bù yī lài tā rén yǐ zì jiā fāng shì chú lǐ shì wù de yì wèi
Word origin
独 (dú, "alone") + 自 (zì, "self") combines separation with the self as the source of action, supporting both the solitary and self-directed senses.
Usage tips
- English alone usually describes who is present, whereas this Chinese adverb can also describe an individual method or decision without suggesting physical isolation.
Other meanings
- independentlyadverb
Opposites
- 一起yì qǐtogetheradverb