Meaning of 自在
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- comfortable; at ease
How to use 自在
自在 describes feeling relaxed and unrestricted, often in the patterns 很自在 or 不自在 (uncomfortable, ill at ease). It is common for social situations and for a carefree lifestyle. Example: 在朋友家我觉得很自在。(Zài péngyou jiā wǒ juéde hěn zìzai.) I feel very comfortable at my friend's place.
自在 combines 自 (zì, self) and 在 (zài, to be present). When you can simply be yourself where you are, you feel at ease.
Common mistake: In the meaning "at ease", 在 is usually said in the neutral tone, zìzai, so learners who stress it as zìzài can sound stiff. Also do not mix it up with 自由 (zìyóu). 自由 is about freedom and rights, while 自在 is about how relaxed you feel.
自在 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
自 zì · self · 6 strokes
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在 zài · to exist · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 自在.
| 现在 | xiànzài | now; at present; currently |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing |
| 在家 | zàijiā | to be at home; (at a workplace) to be in (as opposed to being away on official business 出差 |
| 自己 | zìjǐ | oneself; (attributive) one's own |
| 自由 | zìyóu | freedom; liberty; free; unrestricted |
| 来自 | láizì | to come from (a place); From: (in email header) |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 自行车 | zìxíngchē | bicycle; bike |
| 大自然 | dàzìrán | nature (the natural world) |
| 存在 | cúnzài | to exist; to be |
| 自然 | zìrán | nature; natural |
| 自从 | zìcóng | since (a time); ever since |
Questions about 自在
What does 自在 mean?
自在 (zìzai) means "comfortable; at ease" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 自在?
自在 is made of 2 characters: 自 (6 strokes), 在 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 自在 an HSK word?
Yes. 自在 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I say I feel uncomfortable or awkward using 自在?
Use 不自在 (bú zìzai). For example, 他看着我,我有点儿不自在。(Tā kànzhe wǒ, wǒ yǒudiǎnr bú zìzai.) He was watching me and I felt a bit awkward.
What does 自由自在 mean?
自由自在 (zìyóu zìzài) is a common set phrase meaning free and unconstrained, carefree. It is often used for a lifestyle, like 自由自在地生活 (live a carefree life). In this four-character phrase, 在 is usually read in full tone as zài.