# 各自为政

gè zì wéi zhèng

Operate independently without coordination

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Each runs a government of their own

**Traditional Chinese:** 各自為政

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize fragmented management or teamwork.

Independence is not inherently uncooperative.

## Understanding the expression

Each participant acts as though running a separate government, following personal rules and priorities. The expression criticizes a group that needs coordination but instead works in disconnected directions. Departments may use incompatible records or team members may duplicate work while neglecting shared goals. It does not condemn all autonomy. Independent work can succeed when responsibilities and interfaces are clear; the problem is the lack of cooperation where cooperation is needed.

## Examples

各部门各自为政，资料无法共享。

### Traditional Chinese

各部門各自為政，資料無法共享。

gè bù mén gè zì wéi zhèng ， zī liào wú fǎ gòng xiǎng 。

Each department operates separately, making data sharing impossible.

不能各自为政，要统一安排。

### Traditional Chinese

不能各自為政，要統一安排。

bù néng gè zì wéi zhèng ， yào tǒng yī ān pái 。

We cannot each do our own thing; arrangements need coordination.

球队各自为政，配合很差。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊各自為政，配合很差。

qiú duì gè zì wéi zhèng ， pèi hé hěn chà 。

The players acted independently and coordinated poorly.

邻村过去各自为政，如今共同管理水源。

### Traditional Chinese

鄰村過去各自為政，如今共同管理水源。

lín cūn guò qù gè zì wéi zhèng ， rú jīn gòng tóng guǎn lǐ shuǐ yuán 。

The neighboring villages once acted separately but now manage the water supply together.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%90%84%E8%87%AA%E7%82%BA%E6%94%BF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=811&webMd=1&la=0)

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