unknown, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #57624, Very Hard
恣
zì
to do as one pleases
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #57624, Very Hard
恣
zì
comfortable (dialect)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #57624, Very Hard
zì(zi4) T4
1indulgent; unrestrained
2to abandon restraint
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March 24, 2026
恣zì(zi4)
The character 恣 (zì) describes a state of indulgence or lack of restraint, often implying doing something freely or without limits. It can be used in contexts where someone acts according to their desires or whims, highlighting a sense of comfort or abandon in their actions.
Strokes10Radical心Frequency#57624DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of indulgence is significant in various aspects of Chinese culture, especially during festivals where people allow themselves to enjoy food and festivities without restraint, reflecting a communal sense of joy and celebration.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting comfortably on a couch, surrounded by snacks, doing whatever they please without worrying about rules. The radical 心 (heart) suggests emotions and feelings, and the rest of the character signifies 'freedom' or 'indulgence'—making 'zì' sound like 'sit' in a relaxed manner.
Meanings of 恣
zì(zi4)
1indulgent; unrestrained
2to abandon restraint
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 恣
恣Simplified
10Strokes
心Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 恣
Podcast: 恣
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AI Study Notes for 恣
Quick Contrast
恣 (zì) vs 放纵 (fàngzòng) — use 恣 for a more poetic or literary tone of indulgence, while 放纵 is more commonly used in everyday language.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting comfortably on a couch, surrounded by snacks, doing whatever they please without worrying about rules. The radical 心 (heart) suggests emotions and feelings, and the rest of the character signifies 'freedom' or 'indulgence'—making 'zì' sound like 'sit' in a relaxed manner.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 恣 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in more formal or literary contexts, so it may not be appropriate for casual conversation. Common collocations include 恣意 (zìyì, to act freely) and 恣笑 (zìxiào, to laugh freely).
HSK Study Tips
Although 恣 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects well to HSK Level 5 words related to freedom and personal expression. Students should focus on understanding its nuances in different contexts, especially with collocations.
Cultural Note
The concept of indulgence is significant in various aspects of Chinese culture, especially during festivals where people allow themselves to enjoy food and festivities without restraint, reflecting a communal sense of joy and celebration.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 恣 with 自 (zì), which means 'self' or 'oneself.' For example, saying '我恣做决定' (Wǒ zì zuò juédìng) instead of '我自己做决定' (Wǒ zìjǐ zuò juédìng) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恣
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Grammar Patterns of 恣
恣 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
他的池塘里长满了____意蔓生的杂草。
His pond has been choked by the fast-growing weed.
Example Sentences for 恣 (1)
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1
他的池塘里长满了恣意蔓生的杂草。
tā de chí táng lǐ cháng mǎn le zì yì màn shēng de zá cǎo。
His pond has been choked by the fast-growing weed.
Cultural Notes for 恣
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of indulgence is significant in various aspects of Chinese culture, especially during festivals where people allow themselves to enjoy food and festivities without restraint, reflecting a communal sense of joy and celebration.
Word Family of 恣
Words Containing This Character6
恣意unbridled
恣zìto abandon restraint
恣意妄为to behave unscrupulously恣意妄為
恣肆unrestrained
恣情wanton or willful
恣行无忌to behave recklessly恣行無忌
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 恣意 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 恣
In everyday conversation, 恣 is less common, but it conveys a sense of freedom or indulgence, often in more formal or literary contexts.
You can use 恣 in a sentence like '他恣意享受生活' (Tā zìyì xiǎngshòu shēnghuó) which means 'He indulges in life freely.'
While it is not frequently used in spoken modern Chinese, it appears in literature and formal writing to convey specific meanings.
