自助式 (zì zhù shì) — self-service style, self-serve (used attributively)

Definition

An adjective meaning 'self-service style', usually placed before a noun (e.g. 自助式早餐, 自助结账). It describes a system where the user does the work themselves rather than being served by staff.

adjective
self-service styleself-serve (used attributively)

Examples

  • 自助式。
    Zhè jiā jiǔ diàn tí gōng zì zhù shì zǎo cān.
    This hotel offers a self-service breakfast.
  • 自助式。
    zì zhù shì Jié zhàng xì tǒng hěn fāng biàn.
    The self-checkout system is very convenient.
  • 自助式。
    Wǒ men cǎi yòng zì zhù shì fú wù mó shì.
    We adopt a self-service service model.

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.

自助self-help
自zìself助zhùhelp
主谓Subject + predicate
式shìstyle

自助 says the person helps themselves, and 式 gives the style of doing it.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrong arm
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě助zhù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

助 pairs 力, a strong arm, with 且, which gives the sound; the meaning is help with strength.

Open 助 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
工工gōngwork
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì式shì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Open 式 →

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