沾沾自喜 (zhān zhān zì xǐ) — to be smug and complacent over minor accomplishments
Definition
An idiom meaning 'to be smug and complacent over a small success.' It always carries a negative, critical tone — you use it about someone else, not about yourself.
idiom
to be smug and complacent over minor accomplishments
Examples
- 沾沾自喜，。Tā gāng shēng le yī 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 yīn wèi zhè diǎn chéng jì jiù zhān zhān zì xǐ, hòu miàn 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 kǎo shì jí gé jiù zhān zhān zì xǐ, wán quán bù kǎo lǜ tí gāo zì jǐ.Every time he passes an exam, he becomes complacent, not thinking at all about improving himself.
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.
沾沾 gives a smug, self-satisfied manner, and 自喜 means being pleased with oneself.
Appears in
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