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卖弄 (mài lòng) — to show off; to flaunt

Definition

A negative-toned verb for flaunting knowledge, talent, or wealth to impress others, with the implication that it is annoying or pretentious. Unlike 炫耀, it is typically used for abilities or learning rather than material things.

verb
to show offto flaunt

Examples

  • 卖弄。
    Tā zǒng zài péng you miàn qián mài lòng zì jǐ de zhī shi.
    He always shows off his knowledge in front of friends.
  • 卖弄。
    Tā chuān zhuó huá lì zhǐ shì wèi le mài lòng.
    She dresses flashily just to show off.
  • 卖弄，。
    Bú yào mài lòng nǐ de cái fù, zhè huì yǐn qǐ fǎn gǎn.
    Don't flaunt your wealth; it will cause resentment.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

卖màidisplay
弄nòngplay

The display in 卖 and the play in 弄 combine to mean showing off.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 賣; 卖 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 賣 came from an older shape that joined 出 (go out) with 買 (buy), which gives the sound. The simplified 卖 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical ones.

Open 卖 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The form 弄 combines 玉 (jade) with 廾 (hands), showing hands touching or handling jade.

Open 弄 →
Appears in
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