Self-discipline is the internal strength to align your actions with your long-term intentions despite short-term temptations.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Ability to control oneself and follow rules without external supervision.
- Essential for long-term goals like fitness, study, and career success.
- Rooted in internal willpower rather than external pressure or rewards.
Overview
自律（Self-discipline）是一个核心的人格特质，指个体能够超越即时的快感或诱惑，为了实现长期目标而坚持行动的能力。在心理学和成功学中，它被视为个人成就和社会适应的关键。2) Usage Patterns: 自律在汉语中既可以作为抽象名词（如：自律的重要性），也可以作为谓语或定语（如：他很自律、一个自律的人）。它常与“保持”、“加强”、“培养”等动词搭配。3) Common Contexts: 广泛应用于个人成长（健身、学习、作息）、职业道德（职业自律）、以及行业规范（行业自律公约）。在现代社交媒体上，它常与“自律给我自由”这一口号联系在一起。4) Similar Words comparison: 与“他律”相对，他律依赖外部惩罚或奖励，而自律源于内心。与“自觉”相比，自觉侧重于主动性（awareness），而自律更侧重于对冲动的抑制和对规则的坚守（restraint）。
Examples
他是一个非常自律的人，每天早上五点准时起床健身。
everydayHe is a very self-disciplined person; he gets up at 5 AM sharp every day to exercise.
企业应当加强行业自律，维护市场秩序。
formalEnterprises should strengthen industry self-discipline to maintain market order.
如果你想减肥，就必须在饮食上更加自律。
informalIf you want to lose weight, you must be more self-disciplined with your diet.
自律能力是衡量青少年心理成熟度的重要指标之一。
academicSelf-discipline is one of the important indicators for measuring the psychological maturity of adolescents.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
严于律己，宽以待人
Be strict with oneself and lenient with others.
自律给我自由
Self-discipline gives me freedom.
Often Confused With
Zijué means doing something voluntarily without being told, while Zìlǜ specifically refers to the act of restraining impulses to follow a code.
Jìlǜ usually refers to external rules or collective regulations (e.g., school rules), whereas Zìlǜ is internal.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'Zìlǜ' carries a strong positive connotation in Chinese. It is used to praise someone's character or to describe professional standards. While it is a noun, it often functions as a stative adjective in sentences like '他很自律'.
Common Mistakes
English speakers might try to use it as a transitive verb like 'I self-discipline my kids.' In Chinese, you would say 'I teach my kids to be self-disciplined' (我教孩子要自律) or use '管教' (guǎnjiào) for disciplining others.
Tips
Start Small for Better Consistency
Don't try to change everything overnight. True self-discipline is built through small, repeatable daily habits rather than grand gestures.
Avoid Rigid Self-Punishment
Self-discipline should be a tool for growth, not a reason for self-loathing. Balance discipline with self-compassion to avoid burnout.
Confucian Roots of Self-Cultivation
In Chinese culture, 'Zìlǜ' is closely tied to the concept of 'Xiushen' (self-cultivation), where disciplining oneself is the first step to managing a family or a nation.
Word Origin
'Zì' (自) means self. 'Lǜ' (律) originally referred to the standard pitch pipes in music, which later evolved to mean laws or regulations. Together, they mean regulating oneself by a standard.
Cultural Context
In modern China, 'Zìlǜ' has become a buzzword in the 'involution' (neijuan) culture, often associated with high productivity, fitness, and the pursuit of an 'elite' lifestyle.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Zì' (自) as 'Self' and 'Lǜ' (律) as 'Law' or 'Rule'. 'Zìlǜ' is being your own lawmaker and police officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“自觉”侧重于主动意识到该做什么，而“自律”更侧重于在行动中克服困难和诱惑，保持对规则的遵守。
可以通过设定明确的小目标、建立固定的生活节奏、以及减少环境中的干扰诱惑来逐步培养。
虽然在语法上它主要是名词，但在口语中常说“你要自律”，此时它的功能类似于形容词或不及物动词。
指某一行业内的企业或从业者通过协会等组织，共同遵守一套非政府强制的职业道德和规范。
Test Yourself
为了考上理想的大学，他每天坚持学习10小时，表现出了极高的 ___。
此处需要一个表示自我约束和坚持的褒义词，‘自律’最符合语境。
下列哪项行为最能体现“自律”？
自律的核心是在没有外界监督时依然约束自己的行为。
自律 / 的 / 成功 / 离不开 / 每一个 / 人
这句话强调了自律是成功人士的必备品质。
Score: /3
Summary
Self-discipline is the internal strength to align your actions with your long-term intentions despite short-term temptations.
- Ability to control oneself and follow rules without external supervision.
- Essential for long-term goals like fitness, study, and career success.
- Rooted in internal willpower rather than external pressure or rewards.
Start Small for Better Consistency
Don't try to change everything overnight. True self-discipline is built through small, repeatable daily habits rather than grand gestures.
Avoid Rigid Self-Punishment
Self-discipline should be a tool for growth, not a reason for self-loathing. Balance discipline with self-compassion to avoid burnout.
Confucian Roots of Self-Cultivation
In Chinese culture, 'Zìlǜ' is closely tied to the concept of 'Xiushen' (self-cultivation), where disciplining oneself is the first step to managing a family or a nation.
Examples
4 of 4他是一个非常自律的人，每天早上五点准时起床健身。
He is a very self-disciplined person; he gets up at 5 AM sharp every day to exercise.
企业应当加强行业自律，维护市场秩序。
Enterprises should strengthen industry self-discipline to maintain market order.
如果你想减肥，就必须在饮食上更加自律。
If you want to lose weight, you must be more self-disciplined with your diet.
自律能力是衡量青少年心理成熟度的重要指标之一。
Self-discipline is one of the important indicators for measuring the psychological maturity of adolescents.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
