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自以为是 (zì yǐ wéi shì) — to be opinionated; to believe oneself infallible

Definition

A negative, set phrase: 'to think you're always right' and dismiss others' views. Stronger than 固执 — it implies stubborn self-righteousness, not just sticking to an opinion.

phrase
to be opinionatedto believe oneself infallible

Examples

  • 自以为是，。
    Tā tài zì yǐ wéi shì le, cóng lái bù tīng bié rén de jiàn yì.
    He is too opinionated; he never listens to other people's suggestions.
  • 自以为是。
    zì yǐ wéi shì De rén wǎng wǎng kàn bú dào zì jǐ de quē diǎn.
    Opinionated people often cannot see their own shortcomings.
  • 自以为是，。
    Nǐ bú yào nà me zì yǐ wéi shì, duō tīng tīng dà jiā de yì jiàn.
    Don't be so opinionated — listen more to everyone's opinions.

Origin

Characters in this word

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.

Open 自 →

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.

Open 以 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Attitudes & OpinionsIdioms & Set Phrases

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