自力更生 (zìlìgēngshēng) · self-reliance

自力更生 (zìlìgēngshēng) means “self-reliance”. It is written with 4 characters: 自 (from) + 力 (strength) + 更 (more) + 生 (to give birth). It is an old HSK 6 word (HSK 2.0).

How 自力更生 is built

The characters

自 zì · from

What 自 is made of

目mù — eye
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 二 — two strokes
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 一 — horizontal stroke

Origin hint: A nose; in China, people refer to themselves by pointing to their noses (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

力 lì · strength

What 力 is made of

丿 — falling stroke

Origin hint: A plow's head representing strength (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

更 gèng · more

What 更 is made of

一 — horizontal stroke
曰yuē — to speak
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
乂yì — crossed strokes
- 丿 — falling stroke

生 shēng · to give birth

What 生 is made of

一 — horizontal stroke
土tǔ — earth
- 十 — ten
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke

Origin hint: A shoot 屮 growing in the soil 土 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

他们靠自力更生过上了好日子。Tāmen kào zìlìgēngshēng guòshàng le hǎo rìzi.They built a good life through self-reliance.

我们要自力更生，不依赖别人。Wǒmen yào zìlìgēngshēng, bù yīlài biérén.We should be self-reliant and not depend on others.

Questions about 自力更生

What does 自力更生 mean?

自力更生 (zìlìgēngshēng) means “self-reliance”.

How do you pronounce 自力更生?

自力更生 is pronounced zìlìgēngshēng.

Which HSK level is 自力更生?

自力更生 is in Old HSK 6.

Related words

Learn 自力更生 with its group

It is part of Old HSK 6 · Group 247: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

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