自己 (zì jǐ) — reflexive and emphatic self

Subject + 自己 (zìjǐ) + Verb / Verb + 自己 (zìjǐ) / 自己的 (zìjǐ de) + Noun

HSK 23.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what自己Action
Action自己
自己的Noun

Rule structure

自己 (zìjǐ) means “oneself,” “by oneself” or “one’s own.” After the subject it can emphasize an independent action: 我自己做饭 (wǒ zìjǐ zuò fàn), “I cook by myself.” It can also be an object: 他爱自己 (tā ài zìjǐ), “he loves himself.” 自己的家 (zìjǐ de jiā) means “one’s own home.”

Examples

我自己做饭。

Wǒ zìjǐ zuò fàn.

I cook by myself.

他有自己的房间。

Tā yǒu zìjǐ de fángjiān.

He has his own room.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “reflexive and emphatic self” in Chinese with 自己?

Use the structure: Subject + 自己 (zìjǐ) + Verb / Verb + 自己 (zìjǐ) / 自己的 (zìjǐ de) + Noun. For example: 我自己做饭。 — “I cook by myself”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我自己做饭。 — “I cook by myself”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 2.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 2 grammar rules