独自

• Pinyin: dú zì
• Hanzi breakdown: 独 = 犭(animal radical) + 蜀 (phonetic, simplified); 自 = pictograph of a nose, extended to mean 'self'

Meaning

Alone; by oneself; on one's own. Without anyone else present or helping.

An adverb that emphasises doing something without companionship or assistance. Slightly more literary than 一个人, which is the everyday equivalent. Often used to convey courage, loneliness, or self-reliance depending on context.

Examples

1. 她独自一个人去国外留学了。 She went abroad to study all by herself.
2. 他喜欢独自在公园里散步。 He likes to take walks alone in the park.
3. 独自生活让她变得更加坚强。 Living alone has made her much stronger.

Usage Guide

Context: description, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她独自完成了这个项目。(She completed this project on her own.)
• 他独自旅行了一个月。(He travelled alone for a month.)

Don't Say

• 在口语中过多使用'独自' (Don't overuse 独自 in casual speech — it sounds literary; use 一个人 for everyday conversation)

Origin & History

Compound of 独 (alone) and 自 (self). Reinforces the idea of being entirely by oneself.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal