暗自

ànzì

adverb #24,725

Meanings

1 inwardly
2 secretly (to oneself)
3 privately

Characters

dark; hidden; secret

Examples

HSK 3

她暗自高兴，但没有表现出来。

Tā ànzì gāoxìng, dàn méiyǒu biǎoxiàn chūlái.

She was inwardly pleased but didn't show it.

HSK 4

他暗自下定决心，一定要成功。

Tā ànzì xiàdìng juéxīn, yīdìng yào chénggōng.

He secretly made up his mind that he would succeed.

HSK 7-9

听到批评，他暗自反思。

Tīngdào pīpíng, tā ànzì fǎnsī.

Hearing the criticism, he privately reflected on himself.

Tips

usage

暗自 describes feelings or decisions kept entirely internal - not shared or shown outwardly. It often pairs with verbs of thought/emotion: 暗自庆幸 (secretly relieved), 暗自发誓 (silently vow).

Stroke Order

暗 àn

自 zì