Chinese word

自如

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì rú

Meaning

  • adjectiveat ease

Example

他在面试时显得自如。tā zài miàn shì shí xiǎn de zì rú

He seemed at ease during the interview.

Illustration for 自如 (at ease)

More examples

在台上，他说话很自如。zài tái shàng tā shuō huà hěn zì rú

On stage, he spoke with great ease.

Core concept

Actions or speech flow under their own control, without stiffness, pressure, or wasted hesitation.

Common phrases

  • 应付自如yìng fù zì rú

    handle with ease

  • 举止自如jú zhǐ zì rú

    carry oneself with ease

  • 处事自如chǔ shì zì rú

    handle matters with ease

Similar words

轻松qīng sōng: Free from tension, effort, or burden, and therefore easy to handle.
熟练shú liàn: Having enough practice to perform a skill smoothly and accurately.
从容cóng róng: Calm and unhurried when dealing with events, with room to respond.
自在zì zài: Free from restraint and comfortable in mind or body.

Definition in Chinese

表示行动或言语熟练自然，举止不显生硬，显出从容和自信，侧重于技能或表现的流畅性。biǎo shì xíng dòng huò yán yǔ shú liàn zì rán jú zhǐ bù xiǎn shēng yìng xiǎn chū cóng róng hé zì xìn cè zhòng yú jì néng huò biǎo xiàn de liú chàng xìng

Word origin

自如 (zìrú, "at ease") is formed from 自 (zì, "self") + 如 (rú, "as"), presenting behavior as being as one naturally is and thus flowing with ease.

Usage tips

  • English often uses comfort words for a person's inner state, whereas this word commonly evaluates visible skill in speaking, moving, or doing a task.

Other meanings

  • freelyadverb
  • unhurriedadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word