自我 zìwǒ self-
self-; ego (psychology)
How to remember 自我: 自 self + 我 I = self-.
Characters
How it is used
- The self/ego, and a reflexive prefix 'self-' - 自我介绍 (zìwǒ jièshào) introduce oneself.
- As a prefix it makes the action turn back on oneself: 自我保护 (zìwǒ bǎohù) self-protection, 自我批评 (zìwǒ pīpíng) self-criticism.
- As a noun it's the psychological ego: 找到自我 (zhǎodào zìwǒ) find oneself. Colloquially 很自我 means self-centered.
Example sentences
- 他做了自我介绍。 Tā zuòle zìwǒ jièshào.He introduced himself.
- 自我怀疑是聪明的第一标志。 Zìwǒ huáiyí shì cōngmíng de dìyī biāozhì.To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence.