zìlì: 自立 - To Be Independent, Self-Reliant, Stand on One's Own Feet

• Keywords: zili, 自立, what does zili mean, Chinese for independent, self-reliant in Chinese, zili meaning, how to use zili, Chinese culture independence, zili vs duli, stand on your own two feet Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 自立 (zìlì), which means to be independent, self-reliant, or to stand on one's own two feet. This page breaks down the characters, explores its deep cultural significance in China as a family virtue, and contrasts it with the Western idea of independence. With 10 practical example sentences and clear analysis, you'll understand how to use 自立 (zìlì) to describe personal growth, maturity, and financial independence in modern Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zìlì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To support oneself or to stand on one's own feet without relying on others.
• In a Nutshell: 自立 (zìlì) is the virtue of becoming a capable, self-sufficient adult. It's not just about moving out; it's about having the skills, maturity, and financial means to take care of yourself. In Chinese culture, achieving 自立 is a sign of respect for your parents, as it shows you are no longer a burden and can begin to contribute back to the family. It’s a foundational goal of growing up.

• 自 (zì): “Self,” “oneself,” or “from.” The character is thought to have originated from a pictogram of a nose (鼻子, bízi), as people in ancient China would point to their own nose to refer to themselves.
• 立 (lì): “To stand,” “to establish,” or “to set up.” The character is a clear pictogram of a person with their feet planted firmly on the ground.
• Together, 自立 (zìlì) literally and beautifully means “to stand by oneself.” The imagery is direct and powerful, conveying a sense of stability, capability, and personal responsibility.

自立 (zìlì) is a cornerstone of personal development in Chinese society and is considered a paramount virtue. It's a key marker of the transition from childhood to adulthood. While an American might view “independence” as breaking away from the family to forge one's own individual path, 自立 (zìlì) is subtly different. It's about achieving independence *so that* you can be a stronger, more reliable part of the family unit. The goal isn't to leave the family behind, but to transform from someone the family supports into someone who can support the family (or at least, not be a burden on them). For example, a young American who moves across the country for a job is praised for their “independence.” A young Chinese person who gets a stable job in their hometown, buys an apartment, and can support themselves is praised for their 自立 (zìlì). The ultimate goal of 自立 is to fulfill one's role within the family and society, demonstrating maturity and the ability to contribute, which is deeply tied to the concepts of filial piety and social harmony. It’s independence for the sake of the collective, not just the self.

自立 (zìlì) is used frequently in conversations about personal growth, parenting, and career development.

• In Parenting: Parents will often talk about teaching their children to be 自立, meaning teaching them life skills, how to manage money, and how to solve problems on their own.
• For Young Adults: It's a major milestone for university graduates or anyone entering the workforce. Being able to say you are economically 自立 is a source of great pride.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive. It’s a goal to strive for and a quality to be admired. Being unable to 自立 as an adult can carry a stigma (e.g., the term 啃老族 (kěnlǎozú) - “the generation that gnaws on the elderly”).
• Formality: It's a standard term, suitable for both formal and informal conversations, though it carries more weight and seriousness than a simple phrase like “I can do it myself.”

• Example 1:
  • 父母希望孩子长大后能自立。
  • Pīnyīn: Fùmǔ xīwàng háizi zhǎngdà hòu néng zìlì.
  • English: Parents hope their children can be independent when they grow up.
  • Analysis: This is a very common sentiment expressing a core goal of Chinese parenting. 自立 here encompasses financial, emotional, and practical self-sufficiency.
• Example 2:
  • 大学毕业后，他搬了出去，开始学习自立。
  • Pīnyīn: Dàxué bìyè hòu, tā bān le chūqù, kāishǐ xuéxí zìlì.
  • English: After graduating from college, he moved out and began to learn how to stand on his own feet.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures 自立 as a process of learning and a new phase of life.
• Example 3:
  • 她是一个非常自立的女性，从不依靠别人。
  • Pīnyīn: Tā shì yí ge fēicháng zìlì de nǚxìng, cóngbù yīkào biérén.
  • English: She is a very self-reliant woman who never depends on others.
  • Analysis: Here, 自立 is used as an adjective (technically, a verb acting as an adjectival attribute) to describe a person's strong character.
• Example 4:
  • 虽然家里很有钱，但他坚持要自食其力，实现经济自立。
  • Pīnyīn: Suīrán jiālǐ hěn yǒu qián, dàn tā jiānchí yào zìshíqílì, shíxiàn jīngjì zìlì.
  • English: Although his family is very wealthy, he insists on supporting himself to achieve financial independence.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the economic dimension of 自立. The phrase 经济自立 (jīngjì zìlì) specifically means “economic independence.”
• Example 5:
  • 经过多年的努力，我们国家终于在关键技术上实现了自立。
  • Pīnyīn: Jīngguò duōnián de nǔlì, wǒmen guójiā zhōngyú zài guānjiàn jìshù shàng shíxiàn le zìlì.
  • English: After many years of effort, our country has finally achieved self-reliance in key technologies.
  • Analysis: 自立 can be scaled up to describe a company, organization, or even a country becoming self-sufficient and not dependent on foreign entities.
• Example 6:
  • 你已经25岁了，不能再依赖父母了，必须要自立！
  • Pīnyīn: Nǐ yǐjīng èrshíwǔ suì le, bùnéng zài yīlài fùmǔ le, bìxū yào zìlì!
  • English: You are already 25 years old, you can't rely on your parents anymore, you must become independent!
  • Analysis: This shows 自立 used in a corrective or critical context, urging someone to mature and take responsibility.
• Example 7:
  • 他很早就出来工作，学会了自立，也吃了不少苦。
  • Pīnyīn: Tā hěn zǎo jiù chūlái gōngzuò, xuéhuì le zìlì, yě chī le bùshǎo kǔ.
  • English: He started working at a very young age, learned to be self-reliant, and also endured many hardships.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 自立 with the reality of hardship (吃苦, chīkǔ), showing that it is a difficult but respectable path.
• Example 8:
  • 丈夫去世后，她不得不一个人抚养三个孩子，变得更加自立自强。
  • Pīnyīn: Zhàngfū qùshì hòu, tā bùdébù yí ge rén fǔyǎng sān ge háizi, biànde gèngjiā zìlì zìqiáng.
  • English: After her husband passed away, she had to raise three children by herself, becoming even more self-reliant and strong.
  • Analysis: Here, 自立 is paired with 自强 (zìqiáng - to strengthen oneself) to describe resilience and strength developed in the face of adversity.
• Example 9:
  • 创业的第一步就是要有自立门户的决心。
  • Pīnyīn: Chuàngyè de dìyī bù jiùshì yào yǒu zìlì ménhù de juéxīn.
  • English: The first step to starting a business is to have the determination to establish your own enterprise.
  • Analysis: This uses a common set phrase, 自立门户 (zìlì ménhù), which literally means “to set up one's own gate/door.” It's a vivid metaphor for starting your own business or family, separate from your original one.
• Example 10:
  • 我们应该教育孩子从小事做起，培养他们的自立能力。
  • Pīnyīn: Wǒmen yīnggāi jiàoyù háizi cóng xiǎoshì zuòqǐ, péiyǎng tāmen de zìlì nénglì.
  • English: We should teach children to start with small things to cultivate their ability to be self-reliant.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the structure 自立能力 (zìlì nénglì), “the ability to be self-reliant,” which is a common collocation in discussions about education and child development.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 自立 (zìlì) and 独立 (dúlì). They can both be translated as “independent,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 独立 (dúlì) - Independent (State or Mindset): This is a broader, more neutral term. It can refer to political independence (美国独立战争 - American War of Independence), independent thinking (独立思考), or simply a personality trait (他很独立 - He's very independent/likes to do things alone). It describes a state of being separate.
• 自立 (zìlì) - Self-Reliant (Capability & Action): This term specifically focuses on the ability to support oneself, especially financially and in daily life. It is an action or a learned capability, not just a personality trait. It carries a strong positive moral value related to maturity and responsibility.

Mistake to Avoid:

• Incorrect: 我是一个很自立的人，我喜欢一个人看电影。(Wǒ shì yí ge hěn zìlì de rén, wǒ xǐhuān yí ge rén kàn diànyǐng.)
• Why it's wrong: Liking to do things alone is about personality or preference, not about your ability to support yourself. The correct word here is 独立 (dúlì).
• Correct: 我是一个很独立的人，我喜欢一个人看电影。(Wǒ shì yí ge hěn dúlì de rén, wǒ xǐhuān yí ge rén kàn diànyǐng.)

Think of it this way: A teenager can be very 独立 (dúlì) in their thinking and actions, but they are probably not yet 自立 (zìlì) because they still rely on their parents for food and shelter. The ultimate goal is for them to become 自立.

• 独立 (dúlì) - Independent. A broader term, often referring to a state of being, politics, or thinking, whereas 自立 refers to the capability of self-support.
• 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng) - A powerful idiom meaning “to regenerate through one's own efforts.” It's a more formal and emphatic version of 自立.
• 自食其力 (zì shí qí lì) - An idiom meaning “to feed oneself with one's own labor.” It strongly emphasizes financial and labor independence.
• 自强不息 (zì qiáng bù xī) - An idiom meaning “to continuously strive to strengthen oneself without rest.” A virtue often associated with someone who is 自立.
• 依靠 (yīkào) - To depend on; to rely on. A direct antonym for the principle of 自立.
• 依赖 (yīlài) - To be dependent on. An antonym that often carries a slightly negative connotation of being overly needy or unable to function alone.
• 啃老族 (kěnlǎozú) - “The generation that gnaws on the elderly.” A modern slang term for adults who are not 自立 and still live off their parents.
• 自立门户 (zì lì mén hù) - “To establish one's own household/business.” A set phrase describing a concrete action of becoming 自立.