Chinese word

怡然自得

Pronunciation

Pinyinyí rán zì dé

Meaning

  • idiomcontented

Example

退休后，他在花园里种花，很怡然自得。tuì xiū hòu tā zài huā yuán lǐ zhòng huā hěn yí rán zì dé

After retiring, he grows flowers in the garden and feels very contented.

Illustration for 怡然自得 (contented)

More examples

工作紧张时，他却在午休里显得怡然自得。gōng zuò jǐn zhāng shí tā què zài wǔ xiū lǐ xiǎn de yí rán zì dé

When work is busy, he still looks contented during his lunch break.

Core concept

Being quietly at ease with one's circumstances, without restlessness or a need to chase more.

Common phrases

  • 感到怡然自得gǎn dào yí rán zì dé

    feel at ease and contented

  • 显得怡然自得xiǎn de yí rán zì dé

    appear at ease and contented

Similar words

悠然自得yōu rán zì dé: Being calm, carefree, and satisfied while taking life at an easy pace.
自得其乐zì dé qí lè: Taking pleasure in a personally chosen activity and feeling satisfied by it.
心满意足xīn mǎn yì zú: Having a deep sense of satisfaction because one's wants or requirements are fulfilled.
泰然自若tài rán zì ruò: Staying composed and steady despite outside changes, pressure, or difficulties.

Definition in Chinese

对眼前的处境感到满意，内心平和、自在，不急不躁。duì yǎn qián de chǔ jìng gǎn dào mǎn yì nèi xīn píng hé zì zài bù jí bú zào

Word origin

The idiom combines 怡 (yí, "joyful") + 然 (rán, "in that state") with 自 (zì, "self") + 得 (dé, "gain"), portraying contentment as peaceful satisfaction found within oneself.

Usage tips

  • It has a literary or formal flavor, making it more likely in polished descriptions and writing than in rapid casual talk.

Opposites

  • 惶惶不安huáng huáng bù ānworried and unsettledidiom
  • 坐立不安zuò lì bù ānunable to sit stillidiom

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