← IDIOMS · PERSEVERANCE
HSK 6
zì自selflì力strengthgēng更renewshēng生life
Regenerate through one's own effort; self-reliance.

Literal meaning

self (自) — strength (力) — renew (更) — life (生)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase emphasizing independence and self-sufficiency.

Examples

Wǒ我men们yào要jiān坚chí持zì自lì力gēng更shēng生de的yuán原zé则。
We must adhere to the principle of self-reliance.
Tā他kào靠zì自lì力gēng更shēng生,qǔ取dé得le了hěn很dà大de的chéng成jiù就。
He achieved great success through self-reliance.

Usage & nuances

Often used in the context of economic or personal independence.

Learn idioms by speaking them

Idioms are most useful when they land in a real conversation. Practice them out loud in Kango — get instant feedback on tone and timing.

Download Kango on iOS