# 自食其力

zì shí qí lì

Support oneself through one's own work

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Eat by one's own strength

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe earning a living through one's own labor.

Self-support can still involve cooperation and ordinary support from others.

## The image & its use

The expression connects a basic daily need with the work that supplies it. A person earns enough through their own labor to support their life. It can praise independence, but it should not imply that accepting guidance or cooperating with others makes the work less one's own. People have different circumstances and opportunities. Explain the kind of work involved rather than using the phrase to judge someone whose needs currently require help or a different arrangement.

## Examples

毕业后，她通过自己的工作自食其力。

### Traditional Chinese

畢業後，她通過自己的工作自食其力。

bì yè hòu ， tā tōng guò zì jǐ de gōng zuò zì shí qí lì 。

After graduation, she supported herself through her own work.

他希望学好一门手艺，将来自食其力。

### Traditional Chinese

他希望學好一門手藝，將來自食其力。

tā xī wàng xué hǎo yì mén shǒu yì ， jiāng lái zì shí qí lì 。

He hopes to learn a craft and support himself in the future.

自食其力也可以与团队合作相结合。

### Traditional Chinese

自食其力也可以與團隊合作相結合。

zì shí qí lì yě kě yǐ yǔ tuán duì hé zuò xiāng jié hé 。

Supporting oneself can go together with teamwork.

她开了一间小店，逐渐能够自食其力。

### Traditional Chinese

她開了一間小店，逐漸能夠自食其力。

tā kāi le yì jiān xiǎo diàn ， zhú jiàn néng gòu zì shí qí lì 。

She opened a small shop and gradually became able to support herself.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1372&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%87%AA%E9%A3%9F%E5%85%B6%E5%8A%9B)

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