Usage note
独自表示一个人自己。
dú zì biǎo shì yí gè rén zì jǐ。
独自 means by oneself or alone.
Context note
独自常用于行动、生活和状态。
dú zì cháng yòng yú xíng dòng 、 shēng huó hé zhuàng tài。
It is often used with actions, life, and state.
5 examples
他独自回家。
tā dú zì huí jiā。
He went home alone.
独自学习很安静。
dú zì xué xí hěn ān jìng。
Studying alone is very quiet.
孩子不想独自睡觉。
hái zi bù xiǎng dú zì shuì jiào。
The child does not want to sleep alone.
她独自去了商店。
tā dú zì qù le shāng diàn。
She went to the shop alone.
我喜欢独自看书。
wǒ xǐ huan dú zì kàn shū。
I like reading alone.
5 mini stories
他独自坐在窗边。
tā dú zì zuò zài chuāng biān。
He sat by the window alone.
孩子独自走进教室。
hái zi dú zì zǒu jìn jiào shì。
The child walked into the classroom alone.
她独自完成了作业。
tā dú zì wán chéng le zuò yè。
She finished the homework by herself.
独自旅行也很有意思。
dú zì lǚ xíng yě hěn yǒu yì sī。
Traveling alone is also interesting.
晚上，他独自听音乐。
wǎn shàng， tā dú zì tīng yīn yuè。
At night, he listens to music alone.
Mini dialogue
第一次独自在家
A
妈妈，我今天可以独自在家吗？
Māma, wǒ jīntiān kěyǐ dúzì zài jiā ma?
Mom, can I stay home alone today?
B
可以，但你要注意安全，不要给陌生人开门。
Kěyǐ, dàn nǐ yào zhùyì ānquán, bùyào gěi mòshēngrén kāimén.
Yes, but you must be careful and don't open the door for strangers.
独自完成作业
A
这道题有点难，但我决定独自试一试。
Zhè dào tí yǒudiǎn nán, dàn wǒ juédìng dúzì shì yī shì.
This question is a bit hard, but I decide to try it by myself.
B
很好！独自思考能让你学得更扎实。
Hěn hǎo! Dúzì sīkǎo néng ràng nǐ xué de gèng zhāshi.
Great! Thinking alone can help you learn more solidly.
Related words and contrasts
similar
单独
dāndú
alone; by oneself
Often used when doing something without others.
related
孤独
gūdú
lonely
Describes the feeling of being alone and sad.
opposite
一起
yīqǐ
together
Means doing something with others.