自便 (zì biàn) — to do as one pleases, to feel free (to do something)

Definition

A polite host's phrase: 'feel free, do as you please.' Often used to tell guests or subordinates to act on their own judgment, so they don't feel obligated to ask permission.

verb
to do as one pleasesto feel free (to do something)

Examples

  • 自便，。
    Nín qǐng zì biàn, bú yòng kè qi.
    Please feel free to do as you wish; don't stand on ceremony.
  • ，自便，。
    Dào le wǒ jiā, dà jiā zì biàn, bié jiàn wài.
    Once you arrive at my place, make yourselves at home—don't be a stranger.
  • 自便，。
    Zhè jiàn shì nǐ kě yǐ zì biàn, bú yòng wèn wǒ.
    You can handle this matter as you see fit; there's no need to ask me.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

自zìoneself
便biànconvenient

自 means oneself and 便 means convenient, so the sense is being convenient to oneself, i.e. doing as one pleases.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

便 pairs 亻 (person) with 更 (to change), showing a person changing posture to become comfortable.

Open 便 →

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