Definition
独自 (dú zì) means 'alone, by oneself' and emphasizes doing something without company, often with a sense of solitude. Unlike 单独 (dān dú), which can also mean 'individually' or 'separately', 独自 focuses on the personal experience of being alone. It pairs with action verbs like 散步 (walk) or 生活 (live).
adverb
aloneby oneself
Easily confused
- 肚子dù zisound-alikebelly; abdomen; stomach
Examples
- 独自。Tā xǐhuān dú zì sànbù.He likes to go for a walk alone.
- 独自？Nǐ xiǎng dú zì qù háishì hé wǒmen yìqǐ?Do you want to go alone or with us?
- 独自。Tā dú zì shēnghuó le hěn duō nián.She lived alone for many years.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.