私自

sī zì

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Uncommon

Definitions

1. private; personal
2. secretly; without explicit approval

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 私下 sī xià 私下 sī xià in private privately or in secret, often for communication: in private
• 秘密 mì mì 秘密 mì mì secret; private; confidential; clandestine secretly, as an adverb or adjective: secret; private; confidential; clandestine

Synonyms

1 item

• 擅自 shàn zì 擅自 shàn zì without permission both mean doing something without permission, but 私自 emphasizes personal or private motivation, while 擅自 focuses on overstepping authority: without permission

Usage notes

Common mistakes

私自 often implies acting for personal gain or in secret, while 擅自 stresses acting without authorization from a higher authority. Using 私自 for overstepping official authority may sound unnatural.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 私自 拿了我的书，没有告诉我。

He took my book without telling me, privately.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 私自

• 自私自利 自私自利 zì sī zì lì: everything for self and selfish profit (idiom); with no regard for others

Child Words of 私自

• 自 自 zì: self
• 私 私 sī: personal