独立自主

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dú lì zì zhǔ
• English Translation: Independence and self-determination; being independent and autonomous
• Idiom Composition: 「独」（Alone, single）＋「立」（To stand）＋「自」（Self）＋「主」（Master, to decide）
• Meaning: To judge and act by one's own strength without relying on others. To make decisions and manage affairs independently without external assistance or interference. This applies to various levels such as nations, organizations, and individuals.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「独立自主」 contains the following nuances:

• Self-reliance: Expresses a strong will to stand on one's own without depending on others.
• Autonomy: Means acting based on one's own ideas without yielding to external instructions or pressure.
• Independent decision-making: Emphasizes making important decisions by oneself.
• Personal responsibility: Indicates the readiness to take responsibility for the outcomes of one's own decisions and actions.

3. Usage

「独立自主」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• National sovereignty: Refers to a nation making and managing its policies independently without interference from other countries.
  • Example:「中国始终坚持独立自主的和平外交政策。」
    （China has consistently adhered to an independent and self-determined peaceful foreign policy.）
• Individual lifestyle: Refers to an individual acting based on their own beliefs without being influenced by others' opinions.
  • Example:「在成长过程中，学会独立自主是非常重要的。」
    （Learning to be independent and self-reliant is very important during the process of growing up.）
• Organizational management: Means an organization operates by its own strength without relying on external assistance.
  • Example:「这家企业强调独立自主的研发能力，不依赖外部技术。」
    （This company emphasizes independent and self-reliant research and development capabilities without relying on external technology.）

Additional Examples:

1. 教育的目的之一是培养学生的独立自主能力。
   （One of the goals of education is to cultivate students' ability to be independent and self-reliant.）
2. 在国际事务中，各国都应尊重彼此的独立自主权利。
   （In international affairs, countries should respect each other's rights to independence and self-determination.）
3. 他是一个独立自主的人，不喜欢别人干涉他的私事。
   （He is an independent and self-reliant person who does not like others interfering in his private matters.）
4. 这个国家一直奉行独立自主的外交政策，赢得了国际社会的尊重。
   （This country has consistently pursued an independent and self-determined foreign policy, earning respect from the international community.）
5. 我们要培养孩子独立自主的精神，让他们学会自己解决问题。
   （We need to cultivate the spirit of independence and self-reliance in children, teaching them to solve problems on their own.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• 'Independence and self-determination' holds significant meaning in modern Chinese history. It has been used as a slogan resisting foreign domination and interference, aiming for national self-determination and independence.
• In traditional Confucian thought, personal independence and self-cultivation are emphasized. The concept of 'independence and self-determination' is related to these ideas.
• When used at the national level, the term carries strong political connotations, so context should be considered carefully.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng): To rebuild one's life by one's own efforts; to accomplish things through one's own strength.
  • 自给自足 (zì jǐ zì zú): To meet one's own needs through one's own production; self-sufficiency.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 依赖他人 (yī lài tā rén): To depend on others.
  • 受制于人 (shòu zhì yú rén): To be constrained or controlled by others.

6. Summary

'Independence and self-determination' is a powerful term expressing standing on one's own strength and making decisions and acting by one's own will, applicable to nations, organizations, and individuals. It is deeply connected to modern Chinese history and traditional thought, and understanding this background helps deepen comprehension of the idiom. Especially when used at the national level, political context should be taken into account.