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自习 (zì xí) — to study on one's own (outside of class); to self-study

Definition

自习 means studying on your own, usually at school outside class time. Unlike 复习 (reviewing material) or 预习 (preparing the next lesson), it focuses on the act of self-study itself — close to 自学 but typically in a school setting.

verb
to study on one's own (outside of class)to self-study

Examples

  • 自习。
    Wǒ měi tiān xià wǔ zài jiào shì zì xí.
    I study on my own in the classroom every afternoon.
  • 自习。
    Tā wǎn shàng zì xí liǎng gè xiǎo shí.
    He studies by himself for two hours in the evening.
  • ，自习。
    Míng tiān kǎo shì, jīn tiān dà jiā dōu yào zì xí.
    Tomorrow is the exam, so everyone needs to study on their own today.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

自zìself
习xístudy

自 (self) specifies how the 习 (study) is done, giving study on one's own.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 習; 习 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 習 pairs 羽 (wings) with 日 (sun), showing a bird learning to fly; the simplified 习 is a later shorthand.

Open 习 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4Classroom & StudySchool & Education

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