自食其力

zìshí-qílì

idiom #22,256

Meanings

HSK 7-9

毕业后她靠自食其力养活了自己。

Bìyè hòu tā kào zìshí-qílì yǎnghuó le zìjǐ.

After graduation she supported herself entirely by her own efforts.

HSK 7-9

父母希望孩子能自食其力，不依赖他人。

Fùmǔ xīwàng háizi néng zìshí-qílì, bù yīlài tārén.

Parents hope their children will be self-reliant and not depend on others.

memory

自食其力 = 自 (self) + 食 (eat) + 其 (one's own) + 力 (strength/labor). Literally: to eat from one's own strength, you earn your own meal.

自 zì

食 shí

其 qí

力 lì