自由自在
自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) literally means “self from self exist” and expresses “completely free and unrestrained”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zi you zi zai, zi you zi zai,自由自在 meaning, 自由自在 in english
Completely free and unrestrained
Pronunciation: zì yóu zì zài Literal meaning: Self from self exist
Origin & Usage
Zhuangzi's philosophical writings in the 4th century BCE introduced this concept of complete freedom combining self-determination (自由) with unrestricted existence (自在). Tang Dynasty poets expanded it beyond spiritual contexts to describe ideal lifestyle autonomy. The doubled 'self' characters emphasize that true freedom emerges from internal state rather than external circumstances. Modern usage celebrates the rare combination of external liberty and internal psychological liberation.
When to Use
Situation: After retirement, the couple traveled wherever their interests led them
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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鞠躬尽瘁
jū gōng jìn cuì
Devote oneself completely; work until exhaustion
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披肝沥胆
pī gān lì dǎn
Give one's all; be completely sincere
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 自由自在 mean in English?
自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) literally translates to “Self from self exist” and is used to express “Completely free and unrestrained”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 自由自在 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving completely free and unrestrained.
What is the pinyin for 自由自在?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自由自在 is “zì yóu zì zài”.