Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to do something personally' with 亲 (qīn)

    Emphasis
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    Subject + 亲自 + Verb

    Explanation

    亲 (qīn) when used as an adverb means "personally" or "in person," indicating that someone does something themselves rather than delegating it. It often appears in the phrase 亲自 (qīnzì), meaning "personally." For example, 决定亲自动手 means "decided to take action personally."

    Examples

    • 这件事太重要了,老板决定亲自处理。

      Zhè jiàn shì tài zhòngyào le, lǎobǎn juédìng qīnzì chǔlǐ.

      This matter is too important; the boss decided to handle it personally.

    • 妈妈亲手做了一桌菜等我回来。

      Māma qīnshǒu zuòle yī zhuō cài děng wǒ huílái.

      Mom personally cooked a whole table of dishes and waited for me to come home.

    • 校长亲自到医院看望了受伤的学生。

      Xiàozhǎng qīnzì dào yīyuàn kànwàngle shòushāng de xuéshēng.

      The principal personally went to the hospital to visit the injured students.

    Expressing 'to do something personally' with 亲 (qīn) | Chinese Grammar