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独自
dúzì
on one's own
她独自一人去了国外。
She went abroad on her own.
neutral
Doing something alone without companions or assistance.
他独自完成了这个项目。
He completed this project on his own.
她独自住在郊外。
She lives alone in the suburbs.
Emphasizes independence or solitude. Can imply resilience or isolation depending on context.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding ambiguity
Use '独自' to emphasize the solitary nature of the action, not just physical separation. For example, '他独自工作' (He works alone) implies he prefers solitude, whereas '他和同事一起工作' (He works with colleagues) emphasizes companionship.
Gold Rule
When to use '独自'
Use '独自' when the action is performed by one person without others, especially if the solitude is notable or intentional. Avoid using it for neutral actions like 'eating' unless solitude is emphasized (e.g., '她独自吃晚饭' = She ate dinner alone).
Word Origin
Combines '独' (alone, solitary) and '自' (self). '独' traces back to Old Chinese *dok (独立), meaning 'single' or 'isolated'. '自' originally depicted a nose, symbolizing 'self' or 'oneself'. Together, they emphasize solitary action.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe actions performed without others. Unlike '单独' (which can imply separation from a group), '独自' often suggests voluntary solitude or independence.
Word Breakdown
独
alone, solitary
root自
self
root汉英词典