自损 literally means 'self-damage' — combining 自 (zì, 'self') and 损 (sǔn, 'to damage, harm, impair'). It describes intentional or unintentional actions that cause physical, mental, emotional, or reputational harm to oneself. Unlike general terms for injury, 自损 emphasizes agency: the person is both the actor and the recipient of harm. It often carries a connotation of irrationality, recklessness, or self-sabotage — for example, overworking to the point of illness, speaking impulsively and damaging one’s credibility, or engaging in risky behavior without regard for consequences.

This term appears frequently in health education, psychology discussions, and moral discourse. While it can describe physical injury (e.g., self-inflicted wounds), it is more commonly used figuratively — such as harming one’s career prospects through dishonesty or undermining one’s relationships through chronic negativity. It is formal and slightly literary; you’ll encounter it more in written contexts (news reports, essays, medical advisories) than in casual speech.