亲自 qīnzì personally
personally; in person; oneself
How to remember 亲自: 亲 kin + 自 self = personally.
Characters
How it is used
- Adverb meaning 'in person, personally (do it oneself)' - 他亲自来了 (tā qīnzì lái le) he came in person; 亲自动手 (qīnzì dòngshǒu) to do it with one's own hands.
- Stresses that an important/high-status person did the thing themselves rather than delegating.
- Distinguish from 自己 (zìjǐ, oneself) - 亲自 highlights the effort/honor of personal involvement, not mere reflexive identity.
Example sentences
- 他亲自来了。 Tā qīnzì lái le.He came in person.
- 她决定亲自去一趟。 Tā juédìng qīnzì qù yí tàng.She decided to go in person.
- 我恐怕您必须亲自去。 Wǒ kǒngpà nín bìxū qīnzì qù.I'm afraid you'll have to go in person.