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自主 (zì zhǔ) — to act independently; to make one's own decisions

Definition

自主 emphasizes the right or ability to decide for oneself, often in formal or political contexts. 独立 focuses on not depending on others; 自立 is about earning one's own livelihood.

verb
to act independentlyto make one's own decisions

Examples

  • 自主。
    Nián qīng rén yīng gāi xué huì zì zhǔ jué cè.
    Young people should learn to make decisions independently.
  • 自主。
    Měi gè rén dōu yǒu quán zì zhǔ xuǎn zé zì jǐ de zhí yè.
    Everyone has the right to independently choose their own career.
  • 自主。
    Zhè ge gōng sī gǔ lì yuán gōng zì zhǔ chuàng xīn.
    This company encourages employees to innovate independently.

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
主zhǔgovern

自 means oneself, and 主 means govern or be in charge, so the meaning is acting independently.

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 →

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

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

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