Chinese word

自费

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì fèi

Meaning

  • verbpay out of pocket

Example

这次手术要自费。zhè cì shǒu shù yào zì fèi

This surgery has to be paid for out of pocket.

Illustration for 自费 (pay out of pocket)

More examples

他计划自费留学两年。tā jì huà zì fèi liú xué liǎng nián

He plans to study abroad at his own expense for two years.

Core concept

The bill stays with the individual instead of being covered by an employer, insurer, or another payer.

Common phrases

  • 自费留学zì fèi liú xué

    study abroad at your own expense

  • 自费旅游zì fèi lǚ yóu

    travel at your own expense

  • 自费就医zì fèi jiù yī

    seek medical care at your own expense

Similar words

自付zì fù: Pay an expense oneself instead of relying on another payer.
自掏腰包zì tāo yāo bāo: Pay a bill directly with money from one's own pocket.
自负zì fù: Accept personal responsibility for covering an expense.

Definition in Chinese

用自己的钱支付某项费用，不依赖他人、单位或保险承担。yòng zì jǐ de qián zhī fù mǒu xiàng fèi yòng bù yī lài tā rén dān wèi huò báo xiǎn chéng dān

Word origin

自费 (zìfèi, "pay from one's own funds") combines 自 (zì, "self") + 费 (fèi, "cost"), placing responsibility for payment on the person rather than on an outside payer.

Usage tips

  • The word is not limited to medical care, since courses, travel, and other activities can also be described this way when no organization pays the cost.

Other meanings

  • own expensenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word