Meaning
自我 refers to one's sense of self, identity, or ego. It is commonly used in psychological, philosophical, and introspective contexts to discuss self-awareness, self-identity, and personal consciousness. The term combines 自 (self) and 我 (I/me) to emphasize the concept of the individual self.
Usage
自我 is frequently used in formal or semi-formal contexts, especially in academic writing, psychology, and self-help literature. It often appears in compound words like 自我介绍 (self-introduction) and 自我批评 (self-criticism). Native speakers use it when discussing personal development, identity, or introspection.
Examples
- 01请做一个简短的自我介绍。.Please give a brief self-introduction.
- 02他有很强的自我意识。.He has a strong sense of self-awareness.
Characters
Common collocations
- 自我介绍self-introduction
- 自我批评self-criticism
- 自我意识self-awareness, self-consciousness
- 自我实现self-realization, self-actualization
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines two characters that both relate to the self. 自 originally depicted a nose in oracle bone script, symbolizing oneself (pointing to one's nose). 我 is an ancient first-person pronoun, creating a reinforced concept of 'the self' when combined.