📖 Meaning
To do something of one's own free will, with conscious awareness and genuine willingness. It describes acting voluntarily without external pressure or coercion, motivated by one's own recognition of the right thing to do.
📜 Origin Story
This is a modern Chinese idiom without a classical literary origin. It is formed by the reduplication of the structure '自X自Y', where 觉 means 'to be aware' and 愿 means 'to be willing'. It emerged in everyday usage to emphasize the inner disposition behind an action — distinguishing voluntary action from forced compliance. It is frequently used in moral, civic, and organizational contexts.
💡 Example Usage
我们要自觉自愿地维护国家和民族的利益。
We should safeguard the interests of the nation and the people of our own free will.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 自觉自愿
- Pinyin: zì jué zì yuàn
- Literal Translation: self, aware, self, willing
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4