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March 24, 2026
自费(自費)zìfèi(zi4fei4)
自费 (zì fèi) means to pay for something using one's own money rather than having it covered by another party, such as an employer or government. This term is commonly used in contexts like education, travel, or health care, indicating that the individual will bear the costs personally.
Frequency#42915DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, self-funding for education or health care is common, especially in urban areas where public resources may be limited. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and initiative.
Memory Tip
Think of 自 (zì) as 'self' and 费 (fèi) as 'expenses.' Picture someone paying for their own travel expenses while others are funded by their company, highlighting the self-reliance involved in 自费.
Meanings of 自费
zìfèi(zi4fei4)
1(be) at one's own expense
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About 自费
自费Simplified
自費Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 自费
Podcast: 自费
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AI Study Notes for 自费
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 自 (zì) as 'self' and 费 (fèi) as 'expenses.' Picture someone paying for their own travel expenses while others are funded by their company, highlighting the self-reliance involved in 自费.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in formal contexts, such as job postings or educational programs. A common mistake is to confuse 自费 with 费用 (fèi yòng), which refers to expenses in general. Be mindful of the tone; it should always be pronounced with a fourth tone for both characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 自费 is not explicitly listed in the HSK vocabulary, its components are. Focus on the character 自 (self) and 费 (expense) which are useful for understanding related terms in everyday conversation, especially regarding personal finance.
Cultural Note
In China, self-funding for education or health care is common, especially in urban areas where public resources may be limited. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and initiative.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 自费 with 费用 (fèi yòng), which means 'expenses' in general. For example, saying '我自费用了很多钱' (I self-expensed a lot of money) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我花了很多钱' (I spent a lot of money).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 自费
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Cultural Notes for 自费
🏮Cultural insight
In China, self-funding for education or health care is common, especially in urban areas where public resources may be limited. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions about 自费
In a school context, 自费 refers to tuition fees that students must pay out of their own pockets, rather than being subsidized.
While it can be used in informal speech, 自费 is more commonly found in formal contexts such as contracts, job advertisements, or official documents.
Yes, 自费 can also apply to travel, medical expenses, and other scenarios where individuals pay for their own costs.
