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自动 (zì dòng) — (adjective) automatic; (adverb) automatically; voluntarily

Definition

自动 emphasizes a machine-like or built-in process: 'automatic(ally)' for devices, or 'of one's own accord' for actions — without a person prompting it. 自觉 stresses conscious self-discipline, 自行 means simply 'by oneself'.

adjective
automatic
adverb
automaticallyvoluntarily
Easily confused

Examples

  • 自动。
    Zhè liàng chē shì zì dòng de.
    This car is automatic.
  • 自动。
    Mén huì zì dòng guān shàng.
    The door will close automatically.
  • 自动。
    Tā zì dòng fàng qì le bǐ sài.
    He voluntarily gave up the competition.

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zìself
动dòngmove

自 refers to itself, and 动 to moving, so the whole means acting without outside help.

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →
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