dúlì: 独立 - Independent, To Stand Alone

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.”

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.

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 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.

• “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.

• 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.”