zi6 jin4 zi6 jyu5自言自語自言自语
Jyutpingzi6 jin4 zi6 jyu5
Yalejih yìhn jih yúh
Definition
To talk to oneself, think aloud, or mutter to oneself.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Describes the act of speaking aloud when no one else is present or when one is lost in thought. It often carries a slightly negative or concerned connotation, implying that the person might be stressed, lonely, or mentally preoccupied. It is rarely used to describe a neutral or positive activity like rehearsing a speech.
Examples
He is always talking to himself, as if he has something on his mind.
Why are you talking to yourself? Is something bothering you?
Related words
Common phrases
likes to talk to oneself
is talking to oneself right now
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 喃喃自語, which specifically emphasizes the low, indistinct volume of muttering. While 自言自語 can be audible, 喃喃自語 focuses on the mumbling quality of the speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
