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优越感 (yōu yuè gǎn) — sense of superiority; superiority complex

Definition

A self-perceived feeling of being better than others, often displayed as arrogance or condescension. Distinguish from 自卑 (inferiority) — the examples show 优越感 can actually mask inner 自卑.

noun
sense of superioritysuperiority complex

Examples

  • 优越感，。
    Tā zǒng shì yí fù yōu yuè gǎn shí zú de yàng zi, ràng rén hěn bù shū fu.
    He always looks full of a sense of superiority, which makes people very uncomfortable.
  • 优越感。
    Zhè zhǒng yōu yuè gǎn wǎng wǎng yuán yú nèi xīn de zì bēi.
    This kind of superiority complex often stems from inner inferiority.
  • ，优越感。
    Zài tuán duì hé zuò zhōng, guò qiáng de yōu yuè gǎn huì yǐng xiǎng rén jì guān xì.
    In teamwork, an overly strong sense of superiority can affect interpersonal relationships.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

优越superior
优yōuexcellent越yuèsurpass
联合Coordinate
感gǎnsense

优越 gives superior and 感 gives sense, forming superiority complex.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 優; 优 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
憂
憂yōu優yōu
Same sound today

The traditional form 優 combines 亻 (人, person) with 憂 for the sound; the simplified 优 is a later abbreviation.

Open 优 →

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
走走zǒuto walk or run
Sound part声符shēngfú
戉
戉yuè越yuè
Same sound today

越 is built from 走 (to walk or run) and 戉 (which supplies the sound); the 走 part shows the idea of going over or crossing.

Open 越 →

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
咸
咸xián感gǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Open 感 →
Appears in
Emotions & FeelingsPersonality & Traits

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