Chinese word

自由自在

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì yóu zì zài

Meaning

  • adverbfreely

Example

他在家里自由自在地画画。tā zài jiā lǐ zì yóu zì zài dì huà huà

He draws freely at home.

Illustration for 自由自在 (freely)

More examples

作为自由职业者，他可以自由自在地安排工作时间。zuò wéi zì yóu zhí yè zhě tā ké yǐ zì yóu zì zài dì ān pái gōng zuò shí jiān

As a freelancer, he can arrange his work hours freely.

Core concept

Freedom from outside control combined with a calm, comfortable way of acting.

Common phrases

  • 自由自在地说话zì yóu zì zài dì shuō huà

    speak freely

  • 自由自在地创作zì yóu zì zài dì chuàng zuò

    create freely

  • 自由自在地工作zì yóu zì zài dì gōng zuò

    work freely

Similar words

随便suí biàn: Choosing or doing things freely without being careful about rules or conventions.
随意suí yì: Following one's own will when doing something.
随心所欲suí xīn suǒ yù: Doing exactly as one's heart desires, with no restraint.

Definition in Chinese

随心所欲地行动或表现，既没有外在限制又显得从容自如。suí xīn suǒ yù dì xíng dòng huò biǎo xiàn jì méi yǒu wài zài xiàn zhì yòu xiǎn de cóng róng zì rú

Word origin

自由 (zìyóu, "freedom") marks the absence of restraint, while 自在 (zìzài, "at ease") adds inner ease, so the paired expression joins independence with composure.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, 地 (de, "adverbial particle") after this adverb marks it as describing an action, while 得 (de, "complement marker") after a verb marks the manner of that action.

Other meanings

  • carefreeadjective
  • at willadverb

Word lists with this word