擅自 shànzì without permission
How to remember 擅自: 擅 to be good at + 自 self = without permission.
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How it is used
- Without authorization, taking action one has no right to - 擅自离岗 (shànzì lígǎng) leave one's post without permission.
- An adverb, always negative. It marks acting on one's own where approval was required: 擅自决定 (shànzì juédìng) decide unilaterally.