HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#113

Comparing “qīnzì” and “zìjǐ”

亲自 vs 自己

qīnzì vs zìjǐ

Comparison section · original #20 · level order #113

How it works

Both 亲自 (qīnzì) and 自己 (zìjǐ) can relate to doing something by oneself, but the focus is different.

自己 (zìjǐ) means by oneself / oneself.

亲自 (qīnzì) means personally, with emphasis that the person did it in person rather than letting someone else do it.

这件事我想自己先想清楚，再听听别人的意见。

Zhè jiàn shì wǒ xiǎng zìjǐ xiān xiǎng qīngchu, zài tīngting biérén de yìjiàn.

I want to think this matter through by myself first, and then listen to other people’s opinions.

经理昨天亲自给客户打电话解释情况。

Jīnglǐ zuótiān qīnzì gěi kèhù dǎ diànhuà jiěshì qíngkuàng.

The manager personally called the client yesterday to explain the situation.

有些事情你必须自己做决定，但在关键时刻，负责人也应该亲自出面解决问题。

Yǒuxiē shìqing nǐ bìxū zìjǐ zuò juédìng, dàn zài guānjiàn shíkè, fùzérén yě yīnggāi qīnzì chūmiàn jiějué wèntí.

There are some matters you must decide by yourself, but at key moments the person in charge should also personally step forward to solve problems.

自己 (zìjǐ) emphasizes the self; 亲自 (qīnzì) emphasizes personal involvement.