Definition
私自 (sīzì) is an adverb meaning 'without permission' or 'on one's own authority', used when someone does something they are not allowed to do, especially in a work or official context. It is stronger and more formal than 偷偷 (tōutōu 'secretly'), which just means doing something quietly without others knowing, and is distinct from 擅自 (shànzì 'without authorization'), which emphasizes acting arbitrarily in a way that oversteps one's authority.
adverb
without permissionsecretlyprivately (doing something unauthorized)
Examples
- 私自。Nǐ bù néng sī zì ná zǒu gōngsī de wùpǐn.You cannot take company property without permission.
- 私自。Tā sī zì yòng dānwèi de chē qù lǚyóu.He used the company's car for a trip without authorization.
- ，私自。Qǐng bàogào, bú yào sī zì chǔlǐ zhè jiàn shì.Please report it; don't handle this matter privately without approval.
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