Definition
沾沾自喜 is a derogatory four-character idiom (chengyu) for someone who is smug, complacent, or self-satisfied over trivial achievements. The reduplicated 沾沾 suggests a light, self-congratulatory manner, and 自喜 means 'self-pleased'. Use it to criticize excessive pride after minor success.
f.e.
to be smug and complacent over minor accomplishments
Examples
- 沾沾自喜，。Tā gāng shēng le yì jí jiù zhān zhān zì xǐ, zhēn ràng rén kàn bú guàn.He got just one promotion and became smug about it—it's really hard to stomach.
- 沾沾自喜，。Bié yīnwèi zhè diǎn chéngjì jiù zhān zhān zì xǐ, hòumiàn de lù hái cháng ne.Don't get smug over such minor achievements; there's still a long road ahead.
- 沾沾自喜，。Tā měi cì kǎoshì jígé jiù zhān zhān zì xǐ, wánquán bù kǎolǜ tígāo zìjǐ.Every time he passes an exam, he becomes complacent, not thinking at all about improving himself.
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