自助

• Pinyin: zì zhù
• Hanzi breakdown: 自 = 自 (self); 助 = 且 + 力 (to help/assist)

Meaning

Self-service; do-it-yourself; helping oneself. Refers to systems or activities where one obtains goods or services independently without staff assistance.

Widely used in service, catering, and technology contexts. 自助餐 (buffet), 自助银行 (self-service banking), and 自助游 (independent travel) are common collocations. Reflects the broader social value of self-reliance.

Examples

1. 机场新增了多台自助值机设备，大幅缩短了旅客排队等候的时间。 The airport added many self-service check-in machines, greatly reducing the time passengers spend waiting in line.
2. 这家餐厅提供自助形式的午餐，种类丰富，价格实惠。 This restaurant offers a self-serve lunch with a wide variety of options at reasonable prices.
3. 自助游让旅行者拥有更大的自由度，可以按照自己的节奏安排行程。 Self-guided travel gives travelers more freedom and lets them plan their trip at their own pace.

Usage Guide

Context: services, technology, catering, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这家超市新引进了自助收银台，顾客可以自行扫码结账。(This supermarket has introduced self-checkout counters where customers can scan and pay on their own.)
• 自助游虽然需要更多前期规划，但体验往往更加个性化。(Independent travel requires more upfront planning, but the experience is often far more personalised.)

Don't Say

• 自助帮助别人 — 自助 means helping oneself through self-service; use 互助 for mutual assistance

Origin & History

自 (self) + 助 (to help/assist) — self-help, helping oneself

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal