自立

じりつ

independence, self-reliance

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"自立" (zìlì) literally means "to stand by oneself" and is commonly used to express the concept of independence or self-reliance. It can refer to personal independence, such as young adults living on their own, or broader contexts like economic self-sufficiency of a country.

Common Collocations

  • 自立生活 (zìlì shēnghuó): independent living, often used when talking about young people or those who live without relying on others.
  • 经济自立 (jīngjì zìlì): economic self-reliance, used in political or economic discussions.
  • 自立能力 (zìlì nénglì): ability to be independent, often used in education or personal development contexts.

Usage Notes

When using 自立, the focus is on the ability or act of standing on one's own without external help. It is more formal and often used in written or serious spoken contexts. It differs from 独立 (dúlì), which also means independence but can emphasize political or legal independence more strongly.

Common Confusion

自立 vs 独立: 自立 emphasizes personal or economic self-reliance, while 独立 often refers to political or formal independence. For example, a country gains 独立 from colonial rule, but a person achieves 自立 when they start supporting themselves financially.

Example Sentences

Young people should learn to be independent and live on their own.

After graduating from university, she started to be self-reliant and earn

This country is striving to achieve economic self-sufficiency and reduce