Usage note
自是一个常见的书面用字，有从、由自己的意思。
zì shì yí gè cháng jiàn de shū miàn yòng zì， yǒu cóng 、 yóu zì jǐ de yì sī。
自 is a common written character meaning from, by, or oneself.
Context note
自常用于固定词和正式表达。
zì cháng yòng yú gù dìng cí hé zhèng shì biǎo dá。
It is often used in fixed expressions and formal language.
5 examples
自从那天以后，他变了很多。
zì cóng nà tiān yǐ hòu， tā biàn le hěn duō。
Since that day, he changed a lot.
请自我介绍。
qǐng zì wǒ jiè shào。
Please introduce yourself.
自学很重要。
zì xué hěn zhòng yào。
Self-study is important.
我们应该自信一点。
wǒ men yīng gāi zì xìn yì diǎn。
We should be a bit more confident.
事情自然会有结果。
shì qíng zì rán huì yǒu jié guǒ。
Things will naturally have results.
5 mini stories
他从小就喜欢自学。
tā cóng xiǎo jiù xǐ huan zì xué。
He liked self-study from a young age.
自从搬家以后，她常常坐车上学。
zì cóng bān jiā yǐ hòu， tā cháng cháng zuò chē shàng xué。
Since moving house, she often takes a car to school.
孩子学会了自我整理。
hái zi xué huì le zì wǒ zhěng lǐ。
The child learned to organize himself.
她对自己很有自信。
tā duì zì jǐ hěn yǒu zì xìn。
She is very confident in herself.
自然的风景让人放松。
zì rán de fēng jǐng ràng rén fàng sōng。
Natural scenery makes people relax.
Mini dialogue
来自哪里
A
你来自哪里？
Nǐ láizì nǎlǐ?
Where are you from?
B
我来自北京。
Wǒ láizì Běijīng.
I am from Beijing.
自画像
A
你在画什么？
Nǐ zài huà shénme?
What are you drawing?
B
我在画自画像。
Wǒ zài huà zìhuàxiàng.
I am drawing a self-portrait.
Related words and contrasts
related
自己
zì jǐ
oneself
自 is often part of 自己, meaning self.
similar
从
cóng
from
Both can mean 'from', but 从 is more common for starting points.