HSK · Level 61
105 words
Chinese word
自发
Pronunciation
Pinyinzì fā
Meaning
- adverbvoluntarily
Example
大家都自发参加了打扫活动。dà jiā dōu zì fā cān jiā le dá sǎo huó dòng
Everyone voluntarily took part in the cleanup activity.
More examples
他自发提出了改进意见。tā zì fā tí chū le gǎi jìn yì jiàn
He voluntarily put forward suggestions for improvement.
Core concept
A person or group starts doing something from inner willingness rather than from instructions or pressure.
Common phrases
自发参加zì fā cān jiā
voluntarily take part
自发捐款zì fā juān kuǎn
voluntarily make a donation
自发提出建议zì fā tí chū jiàn yì
voluntarily put forward suggestions
Similar words
主动zhǔ dòng: Acting on one's own initiative with a clear intention to take action.
自觉zì jué: Consciously taking action because of an understood need or duty.
自愿zì yuàn: Choosing to do something freely and without outside compulsion.
Definition in Chinese
指不受外界命令或推动，而由个人自觉主动做出某种行为或反应。zhǐ bú shòu wài jiè mìng lìng huò tuī dòng ér yóu gè rén zì jué zhǔ dòng zuò chū móu zhǒng xíng wéi huò fǎn yìng
Word origin
自发 (zìfā, "spontaneously") uses 自 (zì, "self") to mark the source and 发 (fā, "to emerge") to show the action coming forth, giving the compound its sense of self-initiated behavior.
Usage tips
- English speakers may connect this idea with acting alone, but Chinese can use it when many people join the same activity without being told to do so.
Other meanings
- spontaneouslyadverb
- independentlyadverb
Opposites
- 被动地bèi dòng dìpassivelyadverb
- 勉强地mián qiǎng dìreluctantlyadverb
Related words
- 自发性zì fā xìngspontaneitynoun