自言自语 zìyán-zìyǔ to talk to oneself
(idiom) to talk to oneself; to think aloud; to soliloquize
How to remember 自言自语: 自 self + 言 words + 语 language = to talk to oneself.
Characters
How it is used
- Set idiom: to talk/mutter to oneself - 他一个人自言自语 (tā yí ge rén zìyán-zìyǔ) he was muttering to himself.
- Four-character fixed form (self-speak self-talk); used as a verb describing thinking aloud or mumbling alone.
- Don't break it up - it functions as one unit describing the manner of speaking.
Example sentences
- 我祖父一个人的时候，有时会自言自语。 Wǒ zǔfù yígè rén de shíhòu, yǒushí huì zìyánzìyǔ.My grandfather sometimes talks to himself when he's alone.