自发

• Pinyin: zì fā
• Hanzi breakdown: 自 = 目 + 丿 (self); 发 = 癶 + 又 (emit)

Meaning

Spontaneous; voluntary; self-initiated. Arising naturally without external direction.

Describes actions or phenomena that occur naturally without being organized, ordered, or planned by external forces. Can apply to social movements, biological processes, or individual behaviors.

Examples

1. 群众自发组织了捐款活动。 People organized a donation drive on their own.
2. 这种化学反应是自发进行的。 This chemical reaction happens spontaneously.
3. 员工自发加班完成项目。 Employees voluntarily worked overtime to finish the project.

Usage Guide

Context: social, science, workplace

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 市民自发清理街道上的积雪。(Citizens spontaneously cleared the snow from the streets.)
• 自发性突变是进化的重要机制。(Spontaneous mutation is an important mechanism of evolution.)

Don't Say

• 我自发地做完了作业 — use 主动 for voluntary homework completion

Origin & History

自 (self) + 发 (emit, initiate)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal