The structure is a classic A-B-A-C pattern: Self-Supply, Self-Sufficient. The characters combine to literally mean “to supply oneself until one has enough for oneself.” This creates a vivid and complete image of a closed-loop system where one's own output meets one's own needs.
自给自足 is a concept deeply embedded in the Chinese psyche, stemming from thousands of years of agrarian civilization. The ideal of the self-sufficient farming household was the bedrock of imperial China's economy and social stability. A family that could produce its own food, cloth, and shelter was considered stable and virtuous. On a national level, this idea has been a recurring theme in Chinese political philosophy. Periods of prosperity were often associated with agricultural surplus and minimal reliance on foreign trade, while dynasties that became too dependent on outsiders were seen as vulnerable. This historical perspective informs modern policy, where goals like “food security” (粮食安全 liángshí ānquán) and technological independence are framed as a national quest for 自给自足. Comparison to Western Concepts: While 自给自足 is similar to the Western ideas of “homesteading,” “off-the-grid living,” or “self-sufficiency,” there's a key difference in scale and connotation.
The term is versatile and appears in various contexts, from casual conversation to formal government reports.