(zì) - self, since, from in Mandarin
zìTraditional: 自
Translation
self, since, from
Word origin
A pictograph originally depicting a nose, which speakers pointed to when referring to themselves, hence the sense of self. It also serves as the preposition since or from.
- Origin
- pictographic
- Root
- 自 (zì), a pictograph of a nose, used for self
Stroke order
自
Examples
古，。
Since ancient times, people have loved music.
。
This matter must be solved by oneself.
。
He has been clever since childhood.
趟京。
This train departs from Beijing.
。
Everything has its own arrangement.
自 (zì) means self, and as a preposition since or from. It is used in compounds about oneself and to mark a starting point.
Where this fits
Appears in 8 words
Multi-character compounds in the corpus that contain 自.
Used in
Grammar articles
(10)Mandarin Advanced Grammar (C1-C2 / HSK 6+): Chengyu, Classical Remnants, and Register
The Mandarin 被 (bèi) Passive: Saying Something Was Done To the Subject
Mandarin Conditionals: 如果, 要是, 的话 and the 就 That Finishes the Sentence
Formal Mandarin Connectives: 然而, 因此, 于是 and 尽管 (The Written Register)
Mandarin Four-Character Idioms (四字格): The Shape, Not the List
The Mandarin 连...都/也 Construction: How to Say 'Even', and Why the Word Has to Move
The Spoken Passives 让 (ràng), 叫 (jiào) and 给 (gěi): What People Say Instead of 被
Mandarin Verb Reduplication: 看看, 看一看, 休息休息 and the 一下 Alternative
Mandarin 性 (xìng) and 化 (huà): Building Abstract Nouns and '-ise' Verbs
The Mandarin 以 (yǐ) Family: 以为, 以及, 以便, 以免, 以来 and 以...为...
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自: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "自" (self, since, from): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 28.