自觉
zìjué · HSK 3
be conscious/aware
自 (self) + 觉 (aware) = self-aware, conscious of one's own actions
自 means self; 觉 means to sense or become aware (also in 觉得 'to feel'). Together: aware of yourself, hence conscious or self-disciplined. Often used for acting on one's own initiative without being told.
自 — pictograph of a nose
自 originally depicted a human nose, shown frontally with the bridge and nostrils. Ancient Chinese pointed to their own nose to mean 'me,' so 自 shifted to mean 'self' or 'oneself.' A new character 鼻 was later created to carry the original 'nose' meaning.
觉 — see 见 + simplified 學 top 𭕄
觉 (traditional 覺) combines 學 (to learn, simplified to 𭕄) on top with 見 (to see) below, suggesting 'to perceive through learning.' Originally meaning 'to wake up' or 'become aware,' it extended to 'feel,' 'sense,' and 'sleep' (as in 睡觉). Read jué for awareness, jiào for sleep.