洋洋自得 (yáng yáng zì dé) — to be immensely pleased with oneself; to be smug; to be complacent
Definition
A four-character idiom meaning to be smug or complacently self-satisfied, often about a minor success. It carries a negative, cautionary tone — like '别那么洋洋自得' warning someone not to get a big head.
verb
to be immensely pleased with oneselfto be smugto be complacent
Examples
- 洋洋自得。Tā yīn wèi kǎo le dì yī míng ér yáng yáng zì dé.He was immensely pleased with himself for getting first place in the exam.
- 洋洋自得,。Bié nà me yáng yáng zì dé, xià cì nǐ kě néng huì shū.Don't be so smug; you might lose next time.
- 洋洋自得。Tā yáng yáng zì dé dì jiǎng shù le zì jǐ de chéng jiù.He complacently recounted his own achievements.
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