自学 (zìxué) — self-study; to teach oneself
HSK 5 | verb/noun | to study independently, teach oneself; self-directed learning
自学 (zìxué)
自学 means to study or learn independently without a teacher or formal instruction. It emphasises self-discipline, initiative, and the ability to acquire knowledge through one's own effort.
Meanings
- [verb] to teach oneself; to study independently; to self-study
- [noun] self-study; independent learning
Example Sentences
他没有接受过正规的音乐教育，完全靠自学成为了一名专业的吉他手。 Tā méiyǒu jiēshòuguò zhèngguī de yīnyuè jiàoyù, wánquán kào zìxué chéngwéile yī míng zhuānyè de jítā shǒu. He received no formal music education and became a professional guitarist entirely through self-study.
互联网时代使自学变得更加便捷，各种免费的优质学习资源唾手可得。 Hùliánwǎng shídài shǐ zìxué biàn dé gèng jiā biànjié, gè zhǒng miǎnfèi de yōuzhì xuéxí zīyuán tuò shǒu kě dé. The internet era has made self-study much more convenient, with high-quality free learning resources readily available.
自学需要极强的自律性，许多人在没有外部督促的情况下难以坚持。 Zìxué xūyào jí qiáng de zìlǜ xìng, xǔduō rén zài méiyǒu wàibù dūcù de qíngkuàng xià nán yǐ jiānchí. Self-study requires very strong self-discipline; many people find it hard to persist without external supervision.
她用了两年时间自学日语，通过了日语能力考试最高级别。 Tā yòngle liǎng nián shíjiān zìxué Rìyǔ, tōngguòle Rìyǔ nénglì kǎoshì zuìgāo jíbié. She spent two years teaching herself Japanese and passed the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
开放教育理念鼓励学生培养自学能力，为终身学习奠定基础。 Kāifàng jiàoyù lǐniàn gǔlì xuéshēng péiyǎng zìxué nénglì, wèi zhōngshēn xuéxí diàndìng jīchǔ. The concept of open education encourages students to develop self-study ability, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
这门课程采用混合式教学模式，课堂学习与课后自学相结合。 Zhè mén kèchéng cǎiyòng hùnhé shì jiāoxué móshì, kètáng xuéxí yǔ kè hòu zìxué xiāng jiéhé. This course adopts a blended learning model that combines classroom instruction with post-class self-study.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 自学成才 | to become talented through self-study |
| 自学能力 | ability to learn independently |
| 自学成绩 | results achieved through self-study |
| 坚持自学 | to persist in self-study |
| 自学考试 | self-study examination (a Chinese national exam system) |
| 自学语言 | to self-study a language |
Usage Notes
自学 is a compound of 自 (self) + 学 (study/learn). It emphasises the learner's agency and independence. In Chinese educational culture, 自学成才 (to become talented through self-study) is a phrase that carries strong positive connotations of perseverance and self-reliance.
自学考试 (Zìkǎo) is also a specific Chinese national higher education examination system allowing people to obtain degree-equivalent qualifications through self-study, which is different from the generic use of 自学.
Memory Hook
自 (self) + 学 (study/learn) -- studying on your own, with yourself as the teacher and the student.