自发(zìfā), 自动(zìdòng) and 主动(zhǔdòng) indicate taking action.
The differences between 自发(zìfā) , 自动(zìdòng) and 主动(zhǔdòng)
自发(zìfā)
自发 is an adjective, which can be predicate, adverbial, attribute, and complement.
Literally, 自发 means self-occurring, spontaneous.
It is used to describe actions or behaviors that occur naturally without external prompting, but from internal motivation or natural inclination.
e.g.
孩子们自发组织了一场足球比赛。(Háizi men zìfā zǔzhī le yī chǎng zúqiú bǐsài.) The children spontaneously organized a soccer match.
这次聚会是大家自发策划的。 (Zhè cì jùhuì shì dàjiā zìfā cèhuà de.) This gathering was spontaneously planned by everyone.
他们自发地开始讨论这个问题。 (Tāmen zìfā de kāishǐ tǎolùn zhège wèntí.) They spontaneously started discussing the issue.
这个城市的人们自发地为这个可怜的孩子捐钱。(Zhège chéngshì de rénmen zìfā dì wèi zhège kělián de háizi juān qián.) People in the city spontaneously donated money to the poor child.
主动(zhǔdòng)
主动 is an adjective, which can be predicate, object, adverbial, attribute, and complement.
Literally, 主动 means take the initiative.
主动 can be translated to take the initiative or proactive. It refers to actions that are deliberately initiated by an individual, often implying a level of forethought or intentionality. It suggests that the person is not waiting to be asked or directed but is instead making the first move or taking the lead.
e.g.
他主动提出帮助我们。 (Tā zhǔdòng tíchū bāngzhù wǒmen.) He took the initiative to offer us help.
我决定主动学习新技能。 (Wǒ juédìng zhǔdòng xuéxí xīn jìnéng.) I decided to take the initiative to learn new skills.
在会议上，她主动发表了自己的意见。 (Zài huìyì shàng, tā zhǔdòng fābiǎo le zìjǐ de yìjiàn.) In the meeting, she took the initiative to express her opinion.
我们应该主动解决这个问题。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi zhǔdòng jiějué zhège wèntí.) We should take the initiative to solve this problem.
他总是主动承担额外的工作。 (Tā zǒng shì zhǔdòng chéngdān éwài de gōngzuò.) He always takes the initiative to take on extra work.
自动(zìdòng)
自动 is an adverb, which can be adverbial modifier.
Literally, 自动 means automatic.
When used in reference to human behavior, implies that an action or behavior is decided by oneself. It emphasizes autonomy and independence, highlighting that the action is unrelated to others’ influence or direction. In some contexts, 自动 can be similar to 主动 (zhǔdòng), which means taking the initiative. However, 自动 carries a stronger connotation of the action being a personal, independent decision.
Apart from human behavior, 自动 is also used to describe natural phenomena and the status of equipment. In these contexts, it denotes something happening automatically or functioning autonomously, without human intervention.
e.g.
这扇门是自动开关的。 (Zhè shàn mén shì zìdòng kāiguān de.) This door is automatic.
一旦温度过高，系统会自动关闭。 (Yídàn wēndù guògāo, xìtǒng huì zìdòng guānbì.) Once the temperature is too high, the system will shut down automatically.
我的手机自动更新了apps。 (Wǒ de shǒujī zìdòng gēngxīn le apps.) My phone automatically updated the apps.
这款洗衣机具有自动洗涤功能。 (Zhè kuǎn xǐyījī jùyǒu zìdòng xǐzhì gōngnéng.) This washing machine has an automatic washing function.
当检测到烟雾时，警报器会自动启动。 (Dāng jiǎncè dào yānwù shí, jǐngbào qì huì zìdòng qǐdòng.) The alarm will activate automatically when smoke is detected.
Summary
自发 refers to actions or behaviors that are spontaneous and occur naturally without external prompting, highlighting an inherent, organic motivation. 自动, on the other hand, denotes automaticity, particularly in the context of machines or systems operating without human intervention, or processes occurring without conscious human input. 主动 emphasizes taking the initiative, where actions are driven by a deliberate decision or proactive approach, often implying forethought and intentionality.
Exercise
