| |
| 独立 [2025/08/10 14:43] – created xiaoer | 独立 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| ====== dúlì: 独立 - Independent, To Stand Alone ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 独立, dúlì, independent in Chinese, Chinese word for independence, financial independence Chinese, independent woman Chinese, to stand alone in Chinese, Chinese culture independence, HSK 4 独立. | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **独立 (dúlì)**, meaning "independent" or "to stand alone." This guide explores its use in describing personal autonomy, financial self-reliance, and national sovereignty. Discover the cultural significance of independence in modern China, how it differs from Western concepts, and how to use it correctly in conversation with practical examples. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dúlì | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Verb | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To be independent, separate, or self-reliant; not depending on others. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **独立 (dúlì)** is the go-to word for "independence." It captures the idea of standing on your own two feet. This can apply to a child learning to dress themselves, a young adult achieving financial freedom, an artist with a unique style, or a country governing itself. It carries a strong, positive connotation of capability, maturity, and strength. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **独 (dú):** This character means "alone," "single," or "sole." It's composed of the "dog" radical (犭) and a phonetic component. You can think of it as a lone animal, separate from the pack. | |
| * **立 (lì):** This character means "to stand" or "to establish." It's a pictogram of a person with their feet firmly planted on the ground. | |
| When combined, **独立 (dúlì)** literally and powerfully means "to stand alone." | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In Western, particularly American culture, "independence" is often seen as a primary life goal, sometimes involving a sharp break from one's family to forge a separate identity ("leaving the nest"). | |
| In Chinese culture, the concept of **独立 (dúlì)** has a different flavor. While highly valued, it's often viewed through the lens of collective responsibility and [[孝顺]] (xiàoshùn), or filial piety. Being **独立** doesn't mean detaching from your family; it means becoming capable enough to no longer be a burden on them and, eventually, to support them. It's about achieving strength *for the collective unit*. | |
| The rise of the "**独立女性**" (dúlì nǚxìng - independent woman) is a significant social trend in modern China. This refers to women who are educated, financially self-sufficient, and often prioritize their careers. This modern pursuit of personal **独立** sometimes creates tension with traditional expectations about marriage and family roles, making it a dynamic and important cultural topic. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **独立** is a versatile and common word used in various contexts, from formal to everyday life. | |
| * **Personal and Financial:** This is one of the most common uses. "**经济独立**" (jīngjì dúlì) or "financial independence" is a major goal for many young people in China. Similarly, "**思想独立**" (sīxiǎng dúlì) means "to think independently." | |
| * **Political and Formal:** In formal contexts, **独立** refers to the sovereignty of a nation. The American Declaration of Independence is called the《**独立**宣言》(Dúlì Xuānyán). | |
| * **Describing Objects and Spaces:** It can mean "separate" or "self-contained." For example, an apartment with a "**独立**卫生间" (dúlì wèishēngjiān) has a private, non-shared bathroom. An "**独立**电影" (dúlì diànyǐng) is an "indie film." | |
| Its connotation is almost always positive, implying competence and maturity. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 她努力工作，就是为了实现经济**独立**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā nǔlì gōngzuò, jiùshì wèile shíxiàn jīngjì **dúlì**. | |
| * English: She works hard precisely to achieve financial independence. | |
| * Analysis: A very common and aspirational use of the term, highlighting a modern life goal. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 老师总是鼓励我们**独立**思考问题。 | |
| * Pinyin: Lǎoshī zǒngshì gǔlì wǒmen **dúlì** sīkǎo wèntí. | |
| * English: The teacher always encourages us to think about problems independently. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **独立** functions as an adverb modifying the verb "to think" (思考). | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 我的儿子已经很**独立**了，可以自己穿衣服和吃饭。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de érzi yǐjīng hěn **dúlì** le, kěyǐ zìjǐ chuān yīfu hé chīfàn. | |
| * English: My son is already very independent; he can dress himself and eat on his own. | |
| * Analysis: A classic example of describing a child's development and growing self-reliance. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 这个国家于1991年宣布**独立**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège guójiā yú 1991 nián xuānbù **dúlì**. | |
| * English: This country declared independence in 1991. | |
| * Analysis: This shows the formal, political usage of **独立** to mean national sovereignty. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 我租的公寓有一个**独立**的厨房。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ zū de gōngyù yǒu yí ge **dúlì** de chúfáng. | |
| * English: The apartment I rent has a separate kitchen. | |
| * Analysis: A highly practical, everyday use of **独立** to mean "separate" or "self-contained," not shared. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 她是一位非常成功的**独立**女性。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā shì yí wèi fēicháng chénggōng de **dúlì** nǚxìng. | |
| * English: She is a very successful independent woman. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence directly references the modern cultural concept of the "独立女性" (independent woman). | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 这个任务需要你**独立**完成。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège rènwù xūyào nǐ **dúlì** wánchéng. | |
| * English: This task requires you to complete it independently. | |
| * Analysis: A common phrase in work or academic settings. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这是一部小成本的**独立**电影。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè shì yí bù xiǎo chéngběn de **dúlì** diànyǐng. | |
| * English: This is a low-budget independent film. | |
| * Analysis: Shows how **独立** is used in the arts to mean "indie" or outside the mainstream studio system. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 每个候选人都有**独立**的发言时间。 | |
| * Pinyin: Měi ge hòuxuǎnrén dōu yǒu **dúlì** de fāyán shíjiān. | |
| * English: Each candidate has separate speaking time. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates the meaning of "separate" or "individual" in a structured context like a debate. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 从法律上讲，他是一个**独立**的法人。 | |
| * Pinyin: Cóng fǎlǜ shàng jiǎng, tā shì yí ge **dúlì** de fǎrén. | |
| * English: Legally speaking, he is an independent legal entity. | |
| * Analysis: An example of the term's formal use in a legal or business context. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **"Independent" vs. "Lonely":** This is a critical distinction. **独立 (dúlì)** is a positive state of capability. The negative emotion of feeling lonely is expressed with **[[孤单]] (gūdān)** or **[[寂寞]] (jìmò)**. | |
| * **Correct:** 他很**独立**，一个人生活得很好。(Tā hěn dúlì, yí ge rén shēnghuó de hěn hǎo.) - He's very independent and lives well on his own. (Positive) | |
| * **Incorrect:** 他很**独立**，所以很伤心。(Tā hěn dúlì, suǒyǐ hěn shāngxīn.) | |
| * **Corrected:** 他很**孤单**，所以很伤心。(Tā hěn gūdān, suǒyǐ hěn shāngxīn.) - He is lonely, so he is very sad. (Negative) | |
| * **`独立 (dúlì)` vs. `自由 (zìyóu)` - Independence vs. Freedom:** These concepts are related but distinct. | |
| * **独立 (dúlì)** is about self-reliance and not depending on others (especially financially or functionally). | |
| * **[[自由]] (zìyóu)** is about liberty, having few restrictions, and being able to do what you want. | |
| * You can be financially **独立** but not feel **自由** because of work or family obligations. Conversely, a child can have a lot of **自由** to play but is not **独立** because they rely on their parents. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[依赖]] (yīlài) - The direct antonym: "to depend on," "to rely on." | |
| * [[自主]] (zìzhǔ) - "Autonomy," "to be one's own master." Very similar to **独立**, but often emphasizes the power of making one's own decisions. | |
| * [[自立]] (zìlì) - "To stand on one's own feet," "to support oneself." Focuses more specifically on earning a livelihood. | |
| * [[自由]] (zìyóu) - "Freedom," "liberty." A related but distinct concept about a lack of constraints. | |
| * [[孝顺]] (xiàoshùn) - "Filial piety." The core cultural value that frames the Chinese understanding of independence. | |
| * [[孤单]] (gūdān) - "Lonely." The negative emotional state of being alone, often contrasted with the positive capability of being **独立**. | |
| * [[单干]] (dāngàn) - (Informal) "To go it alone," "to work solo." A colloquial term for working independently on a project or business venture. | |
| * [[独立宣言]] (Dúlì Xuānyán) - A key proper noun: "Declaration of Independence." | |