Meaning
自主 describes the ability or right to make one's own decisions without external control or influence. It emphasizes self-governance, autonomy, and independence in action or thought. The word combines 自 (self) and 主 (to be in charge), literally meaning to be in charge of oneself.
Usage
Commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe autonomous actions, independent decision-making, or self-directed behavior. Frequently appears in educational contexts (自主学习 - autonomous learning), political discourse (自主权 - autonomy/sovereignty), and discussions about personal agency. It carries a positive connotation of maturity and capability.
Examples
- 01学生应该培养自主学习的能力。.Students should cultivate the ability to learn independently.
- 02每个国家都有自主决定自己事务的权利。.Every country has the right to autonomously decide its own affairs.
Characters
Common collocations
- 自主学习autonomous learning, self-directed study
- 自主权autonomy, right to self-determination
- 自主创新independent innovation
- 自主选择to choose independently
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 自 (self) with 主 (master/controller), creating a compound that literally means 'self-mastery' or 'being one's own master.' This formation reflects classical Chinese word-building patterns where abstract concepts are created by pairing complementary characters.