zi6 zai3自制

Jyutpingzi6 zai3

Yalejih jai

動詞Rare

Definition

To control or restrain oneself.

neutralemotiondaily actions

How it's used

Focuses on the internal effort of holding back impulses or emotions rather than external regulation. It is frequently used in contexts involving personal discipline, such as managing temper, spending habits, or dietary cravings. While it functions as a verb, it is also commonly used in the noun phrase 自制力 to describe the trait of self-control.

Examples

nei5你dou1都jiu3要hok6學sik1識zi6自zai3制，m4唔hou2好seng4成jat6日faat3發pei4脾hei3氣。

You need to learn to control yourself and stop losing your temper all the time.

keoi5佢hou2好naan4難zi6自zai3制，gin3見dou2到tim4甜ban2品zau6就jat1一ding6定jiu3要sik6食。

He finds it hard to restrain himself; he has to eat dessert whenever he sees it.

Common phrases

zi6自zai3制lik6力

self-control

kyut3缺fat6乏zi6自zai3制

lack of self-restraint

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 製, which relates to manufacturing or making things. Using the wrong character in writing is a common error, as 自制 means self-restraint while 自製 means homemade or self-manufactured.