傲气 (ào qì) — arrogance, haughtiness

Definition

Refers to a proud, disdainful attitude — often shown through tone and manner rather than stated outright. Typically used to criticize someone for acting superior.

noun
arrogancehaughtiness

Examples

  • ，傲气，。
    Tā suī rán yǒu cái huá, dàn ào qì tài zhòng, dà jiā dōu bù xǐ huan tā.
    Although he is talented, his arrogance is too strong, and nobody likes him.
  • 傲气，。
    Nǐ bié zhěng tiān yí fù ào qì de yàng zi, yào xué huì qiān xū.
    Don't put on such a haughty air all day; learn to be modest.
  • 傲气，。
    Tā shuō huà shí dài zhe míng xiǎn de ào qì, ràng rén hěn bù shū fu.
    He speaks with obvious arrogance, which makes people very uncomfortable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

傲àoarrogant
气qìair/manner

傲 is arrogant, and 气 is air or manner; the word names an arrogant manner.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
敖
敖áo傲ào
Same sound today

傲 combines 人, meaning person, with 敖, which gives the sound.

Open 傲 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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