擅自

shàn zì

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Uncommon

Definitions

1. without permission

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Word relationships

Synonyms

1 item

私自

sī zì

private; personal

Used for acting without authorization, often in legal contexts.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 自己 (oneself). 擅自 always implies acting without proper authorization.

Grammar

Guides that feature 擅自

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min

擅自, 刻意, 执意 and 毅然: Adverbs of Will and Attitude

Learn manner adverbs that show a person’s will or attitude: 擅自, 私自, 公然, 强行, 任意, 执意, 刻意, 有意, 毅然 and 断然.

Reading: shàn zì Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

他擅自打开了门。

He opened the door without permission.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 擅自

self

without authority

擅自