Chinese word

自学

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì xué

Meaning

  • verbstudy on one's own

Example

我在自学中文。wǒ zài zì xué zhōng wén

I am studying Chinese on my own.

Illustration for 自学 (study on one's own)

More examples

她通过看教程视频自学摄影，拍出了不错的作品。tā tōng guò kàn jiào chéng shì pín zì xué shè yǐng pāi chū le bú cuò de zuò pǐn

She taught herself photography by watching tutorial videos and produced some good work.

Core concept

Knowledge is pursued along a learner's own route rather than through guided instruction.

Common phrases

  • 自学摄影zì xué shè yǐng

    study photography on one's own

  • 自学设计zì xué shè jì

    study design on one's own

  • 自学绘画zì xué huì huà

    study painting on one's own

Similar words

学习xué xí: To study in order to gain knowledge or a skill.
独学dú xué: To learn by oneself while choosing and following a personal study plan.

Definition in Chinese

靠个人制定的计划和材料，不依赖教师独立进行学习。kào gè rén zhì dìng de jì huà hé cái liào bù yī lài jiào shī dú lì jìn xíng xué xí

Word origin

自学 (zìxué, "study on one's own") is formed from 自 (zì, "self") and 学 (xué, "learn"), making personal responsibility the key idea.

Usage tips

  • The word describes a learning method, not merely a moment when no teacher is present, so it suits planned work with books, videos, or other materials.

Other meanings

  • self-studynoun

Opposites

  • 参加培训cān jiā péi xùnattend trainingverb
  • 接受辅导jiē shòu fú dǎoreceive tutoringverb

Related words

  • 自学成才zì xué chéng cáibecome accomplished through self-studyidiom
  • 自学能力zì xué néng lìself-study abilitynoun

Word lists with this word