自言自语

自言自語

zìyánzìyǔ

verb HSK 6 #10,081

Meanings

Self speak, self talk — talking to oneself.

他经常自言自语，像是在跟自己对话。

Tā jīngcháng zìyánzìyǔ, xiàng shì zài gēn zìjǐ duìhuà.

He often talks to himself, as if having a conversation with himself.

她一边做饭一边自言自语。

Tā yībiān zuòfàn yībiān zìyánzìyǔ.

She mutters to herself while cooking.

别自言自语了，有话就说。

Bié zìyánzìyǔ le, yǒu huà jiù shuō.

Stop muttering to yourself — if you have something to say, say it.

grammar

This follows the ABAC pattern (自_自_), where the same character repeats in positions 1 and 3. Other examples: 自由自在, 自作自受.

自 zì

言 yán

语 yǔ