私自 sīzì private
private; personal; secretly; without explicit approval
How to remember 私自: 私 personal + 自 self = private.
Characters
How it is used
- On one's own / without authorization - 员工不得私自离岗 (yuángōng bùdé sīzì lígǎng) staff must not leave their posts without permission.
- An adverb implying acting secretly against rules or without approval; usually carries a disapproving tone. Contrast 擅自 (shànzì, a stronger formal synonym).