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自言自语 (zì yán zì yǔ) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 6

自言自语 (zì yán zì yǔ) is a Chinese word: talk to oneself. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 自言自语

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

talk to oneself

他经常自言自语，让人觉得很奇怪。

tā jīng cháng zì yán zì yǔ ràng rén jué de hěn qí guài

He often talks to himself, which makes people feel it's strange.

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Word breakdown

自 zì — self, oneself (reflexive)

Words with this character (55)
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言 yán — speak, words, verbal expression

Words with this character (25)
Show more (+20)
  • 6 一言一行 yì yán yì xíng — every word and deed HSK 7
    • 一 every, each
    • 言 word, speech
    • 一 every, each
    • 行 action, conduct
    Example

    作为老师，她的一言一行都影响着学生。

    zuò wéi lǎo shī tā de yì yán yì xíng dōu yǐng xiǎng zhe xué sheng

    As a teacher, her every word and deed influences students.

  • 7 一言不发 yì yán bù fā — not say a word HSK 7
    • 一 one, single
    • 言 word, speech
    • 不 not
    • 发 utter, emit, express
    Example

    面对指责，他一言不发。

    miàn duì zhǐ zé tā yì yán bù fā

    Faced with accusations, he didn't say a word.

  • 8 不言而喻 bù yán ér yù — self-evident HSK 7
    • 不 not, without (negation)
    • 言 to speak, words (verbal explanation)
    • 而 yet, and (conjunction connecting contrasting ideas)
    • 喻 to understand, to comprehend (grasp meaning)
    Example

    诚实的重要性不言而喻。

    chéng shí de zhòng yào xìng bù yán ér yù

    The importance of honesty is self-evident.

  • 9 代言 dài yán — to endorse HSK 7
    • 代 on behalf of, to represent
    • 言 to speak, words
    Example

    这位明星代言了很多品牌。

    zhè wèi míng xīng dài yán le hěn duō pǐn pái

    This celebrity endorses many brands.

  • 10 传言 chuán yán — rumor HSK 7
    • 传 to transmit, spread, pass on
    • 言 words, speech, rumor
    Example

    这只是传言，不要相信。

    zhè zhǐ shì chuán yán bù yào xiāng xìn

    This is just a rumor, don't believe it.

  • 11 发言人 fā yán rén — spokesperson HSK 7
    • 发 to express, to emit
    • 言 speech, words
    • 人 person
    Example

    外交部发言人在新闻发布会上讲话。

    wài jiāo bù fā yán rén zài xīn wén fā bù huì shàng jiǎng huà

    The Foreign Ministry spokesperson spoke at the press conference.

  • 12 名言 míng yán — famous saying; quote HSK 7
    • 名 famous; renowned
    • 言 words; saying; statement
    Example

    这是莎士比亚的名言。

    zhè shì Shā shì bǐ yà de míng yán

    This is a famous quote by Shakespeare.

  • 13 坦言 tǎn yán — to speak frankly HSK 7
    • 坦 frank, candid, open
    • 言 to speak, words
    Example

    他坦言自己犯了错误。

    tā tǎn yán zì jǐ fàn le cuò wù

    He frankly admitted that he made a mistake.

  • 14 宣言 xuān yán — declaration HSK 7
    • 宣 to proclaim, to announce publicly
    • 言 words, statement, speech
    Example

    他们发布了独立宣言。

    tā men fā bù le dú lì xuān yán

    They issued a declaration of independence.

  • 15 寓言 yù yán — fable HSK 7
    • 寓 to contain, to embody (a hidden meaning)
    • 言 words, story, narrative
    Example

    伊索寓言是世界上最有名的寓言集。

    yī suǒ yù yán shì shì jiè shang zuì yǒu míng de yù yán jí

    Aesop's Fables is the most famous fable collection in the world.

  • 16 序言 xù yán — preface HSK 7
    • 序 preface, order (indicating something that comes before)
    • 言 words, speech (the textual content)
    Example

    作者在序言中说明了写作意图。

    zuò zhě zài xù yán zhōng shuō míng le xiě zuò yì tú

    The author explained the writing intention in the preface.

  • 17 怨言 yuàn yán — complaint HSK 7
    • 怨 resentment, complaint, dissatisfaction
    • 言 words, speech
    Example

    她工作很努力，从不说怨言。

    tā gōng zuò hěn nǔ lì cóng bù shuō yuàn yán

    She works very hard and never voices complaints.

  • 18 总而言之 zǒng ér yán zhī — in summary HSK 7
    • 总 overall, general (provides the summarizing aspect)
    • 而 and (grammatical connector linking 'overall' to 'speaking')
    • 言 to speak, words (indicates verbal expression)
    • 之 it (classical particle completing the phrase)
    Example

    总而言之，学习中文需要耐心和努力。

    zǒng ér yán zhī xué xí zhōng wén xū yào nài xīn hé nǔ lì

    In summary, learning Chinese requires patience and effort.

  • 19 言行 yán xíng — words and deeds HSK 7
    • 言 words, speech
    • 行 actions, conduct
    Example

    他的言行一致，值得信赖。

    tā de yán xíng yī zhì zhí de xìn lài

    His words and deeds are consistent; he is trustworthy.

  • 20 言论 yán lùn — speech; remarks; statements HSK 7
    • 言 speech; words; to speak
    • 论 discourse; discussion; expression
    Example

    每个人都有言论自由的权利。

    měi gè rén dōu yǒu yán lùn zì yóu de quán lì

    Everyone has the right to freedom of speech.

  • 21 言辞 yán cí — wording HSK 7
    • 言 speech, words
    • 辞 expressions, diction
    Example

    她说话时言辞很谨慎。

    tā shuō huà shí yán cí hěn jǐn shèn

    She is very careful with her wording when speaking.

  • 22 诺言 nuò yán — promise HSK 7
    • 诺 promise, consent
    • 言 words, statement
    Example

    他信守诺言，准时完成了工作。

    tā xìn shǒu nuò yán zhǔn shí wán chéng le gōng zuò

    He kept his promise and completed the work on time.

  • 23 谎言 huǎng yán — lie HSK 7
    • 谎 false, deceptive
    • 言 words, speech
    Example

    谎言迟早会被揭穿。

    huǎng yán chí zǎo huì bèi jiē chuān

    Lies will eventually be exposed.

  • 24 谣言 yáo yán — rumor HSK 7
    • 谣 unfounded talk, baseless story
    • 言 speech, words, statement
    Example

    不要相信谣言。

    bú yào xiāng xìn yáo yán

    Don't believe rumors.

  • 25 预言 yù yán — to prophesy, to foretell, to predict HSK 7
    • 预 in advance, beforehand
    • 言 words, speech, to speak
    Example

    他预言明天会下雨。

    tā yù yán míng tiān huì xià yǔ

    He prophesied that it would rain tomorrow.

自 zì — self, oneself (repeated for emphasis)

Words with this character (55)
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语 yǔ — language, speech, spoken words

Words with this character (17)
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Structure & writing
1 自 zì — oneself; one's own self
自 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 1
息 xī breath; air inhaled and exhaled
HSK 3
咱 zán we (inclusive of both speaker and listener), equivalent to "咱们" 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons)
HSK 4
首 shǒu head; skull 鼻 bí nose (olfactory and respiratory organ)
HSK 5
臭 chòu foul-smelling; stinking (opposite of 香)

自 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 言 yán — (lit.) to speak; to say
言 is a component in 5 characters
HSK 3
信 xìn letter; written message
HSK 4
警 jǐng to alert and be on guard
HSK 6
誉 yù reputation; honor
HSK 7
誓 shì to vow; to pledge to act on one's word 譬 pì to use as a metaphor; to make an analogy

consists of

2.1 亠 tóu — top/lid radical, a cover or cap shape
亠 is a component in 22 characters
HSK 1
亮 liàng bright; luminous 商 shāng to discuss, to consult with others 市 shì marketplace; place for trading 脑 nǎo brain (the main part of the nervous system, located in the cranial cavity, comprising cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, etc.) 高 gāo tall; high (opposite of 'low')
HSK 2
交 jiāo to hand over; to transfer to the relevant party 旁 páng side; nearby 离 lí to be separated by; to be apart from
HSK 3
育 yù to give birth to 言 yán (lit.) to speak; to say
HSK 4
产 chǎn to give birth 京 jīng capital city of a country 夜 yè night (from dusk to dawn), opposite of '日'/'昼' 弃 qì to abandon, to discard 恼 nǎo to anger; to make angry
HSK 5
享 xiǎng to possess; to obtain 充 chōng full; sufficient
HSK 6
帝 dì supreme deity or ruler of the universe in religion or mythology 毫 háo fine, pointed hair on a person or animal
HSK 7
亩 mǔ mǔ, a Chinese unit of area (1 mǔ = 666.7 m²; 10 fēn = 1 mǔ; 100 mǔ = 1 qǐng) 亭 tíng pavilion; open-sided roofed structure for rest, built by a road or in a garden 玄 xuán black; dark-colored
2.2 二 èr — two (the number 1+1)
二 is a component in 5 characters
HSK 1
些 xiē placed after a verb or adjective to mean slightly or a little
HSK 3
言 yán (lit.) to speak; to say
HSK 4
云 yún (lit.) to say
HSK 7
仁 rén benevolence; the Confucian moral concept centered on compassion, love, and altruism 腻 nì to feel put off by greasy food
2.3 口 kǒu — mouth (organ for eating and drinking, sometimes part of the vocal apparatus)
口 is a component in 181 characters
HSK 1
中 zhōng center; middle point equidistant from all sides 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 亮 liàng bright; luminous 只 zhǐ only; nothing else besides 叫 jiào to cry out; to shout (of people or animals expressing emotion or desire)
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可 kě yes; correct; to permit 号 hào name; appellation 吃 chī to eat; to chew and swallow food (including sipping and drinking) 同 tóng same; identical (opposite of '异') 名 míng name; appellation of a person or thing 吗 ma same as "嘛" 吧 ba sentence-final particle softening tone of imperatives; expressing suggestion, consultation, command, or request 听 tīng to listen; to hear 呢 ne particle used at the end of interrogative sentences to prompt or press for an answer 和 hé harmonious; peaceful 哪 nǎ which (followed by a measure word or numeral + measure word, to identify one or more among several people or things) 唱 chàng to sing; to produce musical sounds with the voice 喂 wèi hey; hello (interjection used as a greeting) 喜 xǐ happy; joyful (opposite of 悲) 喝 hē to drink (liquid or fluid food) 回 huí to wind, circle, or rotate 知 zhī knowledge, learning 问 wèn to ask a question about something unknown or unclear 高 gāo tall; high (opposite of 'low')
HSK 2
告 gào to tell, inform, or announce something to others 周 zhōu periphery; circle 咖 kā coffee (evergreen shrub or small tree grown in the tropics; white flowers, red fruit; seeds used to make a beverage; also refers to the beverage itself) 啊 ā interjection of admiration or surprise 啡 fēi used in '咖啡' (coffee): an evergreen shrub/small tree whose roasted seeds are ground to make the beverage coffee
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虽 suī although; even though (used in the first clause, often paired with 'but' in the second clause)
HSK 3
加 jiā to add together; to combine two or more things or numbers 句 jù sentence (a linguistic unit composed of words and phrases expressing a complete idea) 史 shǐ history; historical records and the study of history 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 员 yuán person engaged in work or study
Show more HSK 3 characters (+13)
咱 zán we (inclusive of both speaker and listener), equivalent to "咱们" 响 xiǎng echo; reverberation 哭 kū to cry; to weep from pain, grief, or strong emotion 啤 pí beer (low-alcohol drink brewed from barley and hops, with foam and a slightly bitter taste) 嘴 zuǐ mouth (of a person or animal); organ for eating and speaking 如 rú to suit; to follow; in accordance with 害 hài harm; disadvantage (opposite of 利、益) 总 zǒng to gather together, to assemble 或 huò perhaps; maybe 束 shù to tie; to bind 船 chuán boat; ship (primary watercraft, various types, also used in aerospace) 言 yán (lit.) to speak; to say 铅 qiān lead (metallic element, symbol Pb)
HSK 4
京 jīng capital city of a country 兄 xiōng older brother 免 miǎn to remove; to eliminate 另 lìng other; another 台 tái a raised flat platform for observation
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叶 yè leaf (of a plant) 各 gè each; every (referring to different persons or things) 否 fǒu not; used before action morphemes to express negation 吸 xī to inhale or draw liquid/gas into the body (opposite of 呼, though 呼 is limited to breath) 吹 chuī to blow (air from the mouth) 味 wèi taste; flavor perceived by the tongue 呼 hū to exhale; breathe out (opposite of inhale) 命 mìng life; the living force of organisms 咳 ké to cough 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 品 pǐn article; item; object 售 shòu to sell; to vend 喊 hǎn to shout; to yell loudly 嗯 ǹg grunt of agreement or acknowledgment 嗽 sòu to cough; see 咳 (ké) 象 xiàng elephant (the large mammal)
HSK 5
享 xiǎng to possess; to obtain 占 zhàn to occupy; to seize 古 gǔ ancient; of a bygone era, opposite of 'present' 召 zhào to summon, to call 吨 dūn ton (metric unit of mass equal to 1000 kg)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+19)
含 hán hold something in the mouth without swallowing or spitting 吵 chǎo noisy and chaotic; disturbing 呀 yā exclamation of surprise or doubt 咨 zī to consult or inquire of others 咬 yǎo to bite (with upper and lower teeth, to grip or sever something) 哈 hā to open the mouth and breathe out 哎 āi exclamation of dissatisfaction or reminder 哦 ò oh (expressing realization or understanding) 哲 zhé a wise and intelligent person 唉 ài exclamation of grief or regret 唯 wéi solely, only 善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 喻 yù to explain; to make someone understand 器 qì utensils; implements; vessels 局 jú chessboard 扣 kòu to fasten or hook with a ring or clasp 捐 juān to abandon; to give up 沿 yán along (a river, road, or edge of something) 骂 mà to insult or abuse with crude or malicious words
HSK 6
串 chuàn to thread or string things together 吉 jí auspicious; lucky; propitious (opposite of 凶) 吊 diào to hang; to suspend 吐 tǔ to spit out (something from the mouth) 吓 xià to frighten; to scare
Show more HSK 6 characters (+15)
吞 tūn to swallow whole or in chunks without chewing 启 qǐ to open 呆 dāi foolish; stupid 呈 chéng to take on (a form, color, or state); to appear as 哇 wā onomatopoeia for crying or vomiting sounds 啦 la sentence-final particle (fusion of 了 and 啊); indicates completion, change, or a new situation, with exclamatory or surprised tone 喷 pēn to spurt or spray out (liquid, gas, powder, etc.) under pressure 嗓 sǎng throat; larynx 嘛 ma particle indicating something is obvious or self-evident 嘲 cháo 嘿 hēi hey (greeting or to get attention) 噪 zào （of birds or insects）to chirp or buzz noisily 尚 shàng to revere; to value highly 毫 háo fine, pointed hair on a person or animal 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken
HSK 7
亭 tíng pavilion; open-sided roofed structure for rest, built by a road or in a garden 侃 kǎn (lit.) upright and forthright 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals) 叨 dāo (colloq.) to talk endlessly; to chatter on and on (see "叨叨") 叭 ba
Show more HSK 7 characters (+63)
叮 dīng to sting or bite (of mosquitoes, etc., piercing skin to suck blood) 叹 tàn to sigh out of worry or sorrow 叼 diāo to hold in the mouth 吁 yù to appeal or call out for a demand 吏 lì government official in ancient times 君 jūn monarch; sovereign 吝 lìn miserly; stingy with one's possessions 吟 yín to chant or recite with a cadence 吩 fēn (colloq.) to instruct or order verbally; to tell someone to do something (used in 吩咐) 吭 kēng to make a sound; to speak 吻 wěn lips 吼 hǒu (of a fierce animal) to roar 呐 nà shout loudly; cry out (see 呐喊) 呕 ǒu to vomit 呛 qiàng to irritate the nose or throat (of a pungent or acrid gas) 呜 wū onomatopoeia for wind, whistles, crying, etc. 呵 hē to scold angrily 呻 shēn to chant; to recite 咀 jǔ to chew and savour slowly in the mouth 咐 fù to instruct or order verbally; to enjoin; to tell someone what to do or not to do 咕 gu onomatopoeia for the sound of a hen or certain birds clucking/cooing 咙 lóng throat; used in 喉咙 (throat) 咧 liě (of the mouth) open to one side; curl sideways 咽 yān pharynx (the muscular tube at the back of the mouth connecting the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx) 哀 āi sorrowful; grieved 哄 hǒng to deceive; to cheat 哆 duō to shiver, tremble (as in 哆嗦) 哑 yǎ mute; unable to speak due to a physical defect or illness 哗 huá noisy and clamorous; loud and chaotic uproar 哨 shào to patrol, to scout 哺 bǔ to feed (a young child or animal); to nurse 哼 hēng to groan or moan in pain 哽 gěng to have food stuck in the throat 唆 suo to instigate; to incite someone to do wrong 唇 chún lip; the muscular tissue around the mouth of humans or certain animals 唐 táng boastful; exaggerated (in speech) 唠 láo see "唠叨": to talk endlessly; to nag 唤 huàn to call out loudly to get someone's attention or summon them 唬 hu 唾 tuò saliva; spittle 啃 kěn to gnaw; to nibble at something hard 啰 luō see '啰唆': (of speech) verbose; (of matters) trivial and troublesome; to repeat oneself tediously 啸 xiào to whistle (with pursed lips, producing a long clear sound) 喇 lǎ see 喇叭: ① wind instrument, narrow at top and flared at bottom, amplifies sound; ② horn-shaped object with amplifying function 喉 hóu larynx; throat (the organ connecting the pharynx and trachea, used for breathing and phonation) 喘 chuǎn to breathe rapidly; to pant 喧 xuān loud and noisy; clamorous 嗅 xiù to smell; to sniff and distinguish odors 嗜 shì to love, to have a particular fondness for 嗦 suo see '哆嗦': involuntary trembling of the body from external stimulation 嘀 dí used in "嘀咕": ① mutter to oneself; ② feel uneasy, be uncertain 嘈 cáo noisy; clamorous 嘱 zhǔ to enjoin; to instruct 噩 è frightful and ominous; horrifying and inauspicious 嚏 tì (lit.) to sneeze 嚣 xiāo noisy; clamorous 嚷 rǎng to shout loudly 嚼 jiáo to chew; to masticate 燕 yàn swallow (bird with small body, long pointed wings, and forked tail) 辟 pì incisive; penetrating; profound 鄙 bǐ vulgar; base; crude 鳄 è crocodile (large reptile, commonly called 鳄鱼) 鸣 míng (of birds) to chirp; (of animals or insects) to cry or make sounds

Stroke order

3 自 zì — oneself; one's own self
自 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 1
息 xī breath; air inhaled and exhaled
HSK 3
咱 zán we (inclusive of both speaker and listener), equivalent to "咱们" 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons)
HSK 4
首 shǒu head; skull 鼻 bí nose (olfactory and respiratory organ)
HSK 5
臭 chòu foul-smelling; stinking (opposite of 香)

自 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

4 语 yǔ — speech; words

语 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

4.1 讠 yán — speech/language radical
讠 is a component in 75 characters
HSK 1
认 rèn to recognize; to distinguish 识 shí to know; to recognize; to distinguish 话 huà speech; spoken words; language 语 yǔ speech; words 说 shuō to express in words; to speak
Show more HSK 1 characters (+5)
请 qǐng to request; to ask 读 dú to read aloud following written text 课 kè schoolwork; planned segmented instruction 谁 shéi who (interrogative pronoun) 谢 xiè to thank (reduplicated for emphasis)
HSK 2
让 ràng yield; give way to others when both parties need something 记 jì to memorize; to remember 诉 sù to tell, to express fully and unreservedly 词 cí word (the smallest free-standing unit of language, e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) 试 shì to try; to attempt; to test informally
HSK 3
议 yì to discuss; to deliberate 讲 jiǎng to speak; to talk 该 gāi should; ought to 调 tiáo well-proportioned; harmonious
HSK 4
计 jì to calculate; to reckon 订 dìng to correct, to revise (errors in text) 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops 许 xǔ to permit; to allow 论 lùn to analyze and judge the reasoning of things
Show more HSK 4 characters (+8)
证 zhèng to prove or verify with people, objects, or facts 评 píng critical comment or review article 诚 chéng sincere, genuine (of one's heart or intentions) 详 xiáng detailed and thorough (opposite of 略) 误 wù wrong; erroneous 谅 liàng to understand and forgive 谈 tán to speak or discuss 谊 yì friendship; friendly relations
HSK 5
罚 fá to punish someone for a mistake or crime 训 xùn to teach; to admonish 设 shè to arrange; to set up 访 fǎng to inquire; to investigate by questioning 诊 zhěn to examine a patient (to diagnose an illness)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+3)
诗 shī poetry; poem (a literary form expressing emotion through rhythmic language) 询 xún to inquire, to seek opinions 谨 jǐn cautious; careful
HSK 6
讯 xùn to inquire 讶 yà (lit.) to be surprised; to wonder at 诞 dàn to be born; to give birth 诸 zhū all, many, various 诺 nuò an exclamation of agreement, similar to 'yes' or 'okay'
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
谐 xié harmonious; well-coordinated 谓 wèi to say; to tell 谦 qiān humble, modest
HSK 7
狱 yù prison; jail 蔼 ǎi friendly, amiable 讥 jī to mock, to satirize 讳 huì to avoid mentioning; to taboo speaking of something 讹 é erroneous; untrue
Show more HSK 7 characters (+22)
讼 sòng to litigate; to take a case to court 讽 fěng to satirize, mock, or admonish with cutting innuendo 诀 jué mnemonic rhyme or phrase summarizing key points of a subject 诈 zhà to deceive; to swindle 诠 quán to explain; to interpret 诡 guǐ deceitful, cunning 诧 chà to be astonished; to feel surprised 诫 jiè to warn; to admonish 诬 wū to falsely accuse; to slander with fabricated facts 诱 yòu to guide; to counsel 诵 sòng read aloud; recite with intonation 诽 fěi to slander; to speak ill of others without basis 谋 móu plan; stratagem; scheme 谍 dié (lit.) to secretly gather intelligence on military, political, or economic matters 谎 huǎng lie; falsehood 谜 mí riddle; enigmatic puzzle phrased in words for guessing 谣 yáo folk song; improvised rhyme sung without accompaniment 谤 bàng (lit.) to denounce and publicize others' faults 谬 miù erroneous; mistaken 谱 pǔ a chart, table, or book compiled by category or system 谴 qiǎn to reproach; to reprimand 辩 biàn to debate; to argue about right and wrong or truth and falsehood
4.2 吾
吾 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 1
语 yǔ speech; words
HSK 7
悟 wù to understand; to comprehend; to awaken 捂 wǔ to cover or seal tightly 晤 wù to meet, to see (someone)

Stroke order