Meanings of 擅自
By ear
Play it, then pick what 擅自 means.
About 擅自
Podcast: 擅自
Podcast: 擅自
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 擅自
擅自 (shànzì) vs 私自 (sīzì) — use 擅自 when emphasizing unauthorized actions that disregard rules, while 私自 focuses more on personal or private actions taken without permission.
Be cautious not to confuse 擅自 with 自己 (zìjǐ), which means 'oneself' or 'ones own'. This term is typically used in more formal contexts, such as legal or workplace discussions, and often appears with verbs like '决定' (decide) or '行动' (act).
As an HSK 6 word, 擅自 connects to advanced vocabulary regarding authority and initiative. Focus on using it in sentences that describe situations where permission is required, enhancing understanding of context and nuance.
Learners often mistakenly use 擅自 in contexts where permission is not required, such as '我擅自做了决定' (I made a decision without permission) when they actually did have the authority. The correct expression should clarify whether permission was truly absent.
Pronunciation of 擅自
Drill the tone of 擅自 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 擅自 to You
Let me explain 擅自 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 擅自 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 擅自?
Learning Lab
Knowing 擅自 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say without permission in Chinese
“without permission” in Chinese is擅自
The term 擅自 refers to acting without permission or taking initiative without authorization. It is commonly used in contexts where an action is taken independently, often implying that the action is inappropriate or unauthorized.
When to use 擅自
Be cautious not to confuse 擅自 with 自己 (zìjǐ), which means 'oneself' or 'ones own'. This term is typically used in more formal contexts, such as legal or workplace discussions, and often appears with verbs like '决定' (decide) or '行动' (act).
擅自 or something close to it
擅自 (shànzì) vs 私自 (sīzì) — use 擅自 when emphasizing unauthorized actions that disregard rules, while 私自 focuses more on personal or private actions taken without permission.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 擅自 in contexts where permission is not required, such as '我擅自做了决定' (I made a decision without permission) when they actually did have the authority. The correct expression should clarify whether permission was truly absent.
Write 擅自
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 擅自 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 擅自
擅自 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
诺克斯____作主，选了葡萄酒。
Knox had taken it on himself to choose the wine.
Example Sentences for 擅自 (6)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 擅自?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 擅自
It's better suited for formal or serious discussions, as it carries a tone of disapproval regarding unauthorized actions.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 擅自?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.