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自我 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
自我zìwǒself-HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #1429, Hard
自我zìwǒego (psychology)HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #1429, Hard
zìwǒ(zi4wo3)zi wo T4
  1. 1self-
  2. 2ego (psychology)
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March 24, 2026

自我zìwǒ(zi4wo3)

The term '自我' (zì wǒ) translates to 'self' or 'ego,' often used in psychological contexts to refer to one's own identity or sense of self. It can also imply self-awareness and personal introspection, especially in discussions about mental health or philosophy. This word is commonly used in academic and everyday discussions about personal development and self-reflection.

Strokes13Frequency#1429DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

'自我' reflects a significant aspect of modern Chinese culture, where there is a growing emphasis on individualism and self-exploration, particularly among younger generations. This shift is often discussed in the context of mental health awareness and personal development.

Memory Tip

Think of '自' (zì) as a person standing alone, representing autonomy, and '我' (wǒ) as a mirror reflecting that person. Together, they symbolize the concept of the 'self' or 'ego,' as if you are looking into the mirror to see your own identity. The pronunciation 'zì wǒ' can remind you of 'see more'—to see more of yourself.

Meanings of 自我

zìwǒ(zi4wo3)
1self-
2ego (psychology)
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About 自我

自我Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
代词dàicípronoun (pron.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 自我

Quick Contrast

自己 (zìjǐ) refers to oneself in a more general or reflexive sense, while 自我 (zìwǒ) emphasizes the concept of the ego or self-identity, often in psychological contexts.

Usage Notes

When using '自我,' it’s important to be mindful of context; it can range from casual conversations about personal interests to formal discussions in psychology. Common collocations include '自我意识' (self-awareness) and '自我反省' (self-reflection). A common mistake is to confuse it with '自己' (zì jǐ), which means 'oneself' but lacks the introspective connotation.

HSK Study Tips

While '自我' is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well to HSK Level 4 vocabulary about identity and personal experience. Students should focus on understanding its psychological implications and how it relates to other words like '自信' (self-confidence) and '自觉' (self-conscious).

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '自我' in contexts where '自己' would be more appropriate, such as saying '我自我' instead of '我自己' to mean 'I myself.' Always consider the context to choose the right term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 自我

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Component Characters

自zìfrom
HSK 46 strokes自
View full entry
我wǒI
HSK 17 strokes戈
View full entry

How to say self- in Chinese

“self-” in Chinese is自我zìwǒ

The term '自我' (zì wǒ) translates to 'self' or 'ego,' often used in psychological contexts to refer to one's own identity or sense of self. It can also imply self-awareness and personal introspection, especially in discussions about mental health or philosophy. This word is commonly used in academic and everyday discussions about personal development and self-reflection.

When to use 自我

When using '自我,' it’s important to be mindful of context; it can range from casual conversations about personal interests to formal discussions in psychology. Common collocations include '自我意识' (self-awareness) and '自我反省' (self-reflection). A common mistake is to confuse it with '自己' (zì jǐ), which means 'oneself' but lacks the introspective connotation.

自我 or something close to it

自己 (zìjǐ) refers to oneself in a more general or reflexive sense, while 自我 (zìwǒ) emphasizes the concept of the ego or self-identity, often in psychological contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use '自我' in contexts where '自己' would be more appropriate, such as saying '我自我' instead of '我自己' to mean 'I myself.' Always consider the context to choose the right term.

Write 自我

自
我

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Cultural Notes for 自我

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of 'self' often emphasizes individualism, whereas in Chinese culture, '自我' can sometimes be viewed through the lens of social harmony and collective identity.

Frequently Asked Questions about 自我

'自我' refers to the concept of self or ego, often with psychological implications, while '自己' simply means oneself or one's own self without the deeper connotation.

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