引以自豪 (yǐn yǐ zì háo) — to take pride in; to be proud of (something)

Definition

A set phrase meaning to take pride in something, often a lasting achievement or heritage. Stronger and more literary than the everyday 骄傲.

verb

to take pride into be proud of (something)

引以自豪。
Tā yǐn yǐ zì háo de shì zì jǐ duō nián de yán jiū chéng guǒ.
He takes pride in his many years of research achievements.
引以自豪。
Zhè ge chéng shì yǐn yǐ zì háo yōng yǒu yōu jiǔ de lì shǐ hé càn làn de wén huà.
This city is proud of its long history and splendid culture.
引以自豪。
Tā men yǐn yǐ zì háo néng gòu wèi guó jiā zuò chū zhè yàng de gòng xiàn.
They take pride in being able to make such contributions to the country.

Characters in this word

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

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

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

豕豕shǐpig, boar

Sound part声符shēngfú

高

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

豪 shows 豕, a pig or boar, together with 高, which gives its sound.