自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) — carefree and unrestrained, free and easy

Definition

An idiom describing a carefree, unrestrained state — doing as one pleases without pressure or restriction.

idiom

carefree and unrestrainedfree and easy

自由自在。
Tā tuì xiū yǐ hòu guò shàng le zì yóu zì zài de shēng huó.
After retiring, he started living a carefree life.
自由自在。
Hái zi men zài cǎo dì shàng zì yóu zì zài dì bēn pǎo wán shuǎ.
The children run and play freely on the grass.
自由自在，。
Tā xǐ huan zì yóu zì zài dì lǚ xíng, bú qù jì huà měi yì tiān.
She likes to travel free and easy, without planning every day.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

自由free

偏正Modifier + head

自在at ease

偏正Modifier + head

自由 and 自在 combine to mean carefree.

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.

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

It began as a drawing of new shoots or leaves growing upward from a plant-like base.

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.

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

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Appears in