Meaning
自 is a fundamental character meaning 'self' or 'oneself.' It appears in countless compound words related to autonomy, self-action, and personal characteristics. As a preposition, it can mean 'from' or 'since' to indicate a starting point in time or space.
Usage
自 is almost never used alone in modern spoken Chinese; it typically combines with other characters to form words like 自己 (oneself), 自然 (natural), or 自由 (freedom). As a literary preposition meaning 'from/since,' it appears in formal writing but is rare in everyday speech, where 从 is preferred.
Examples
- 01自从来到中国，我的中文进步了很多。, .Ever since coming to China, my Chinese has improved a lot.
- 02这个门是自动的，不用推。, .This door is automatic; you don't need to push it.
Common collocations
- 自从ever since
- 自我self, ego
- 自信self-confidence
- 自学self-study
Antonyms
Origin
The oracle bone script form of 自 depicted a nose, as the nose was used to point to oneself in ancient Chinese culture. Over time, the meaning extended from the physical gesture of pointing at one's nose to the abstract concept of 'self.'