Chinese word

神气

Pronunciation

Pinyinshén qì

Meaning

  • adjectiveproud

Example

你别那么神气，会让人不舒服。nǐ bié nà me shén qì huì ràng rén bù shū fú

Don't be so proud; it makes people uncomfortable.

Illustration for 神气 (proud)

More examples

考试成绩出来后，他显得神气十足。kǎo shì chéng jì chū lái hòu tā xiǎn de shén qì shí zú

After the exam results came out, he looked very smug.

Core concept

Visible confidence that rises into showy self-satisfaction.

Common phrases

  • 神气十足shén qì shí zú

    very smug

  • 显得神气xiǎn de shén qì

    look smug

Similar words

自信zì xìn: Having a strong belief in one's own ability or decisions.
得意dé yì: Feeling pleased and proud because of a personal skill or achievement.
骄傲jiāo ào: Showing excessive pride in oneself through an arrogant manner.
自满zì mǎn: Feeling so satisfied with one's current ability or success that further effort seems unnecessary.

Definition in Chinese

形容一个人在言行或表情上流露出自信并带有自夸意味的样子，往往让人觉得有点张扬。xíng róng yí gè rén zài yán xíng huò biǎo qíng shàng liú lù chū zì xìn bìng dài yǒu zì kuā yì wèi de yàng zi wáng wǎng ràng rén jué de yóu diǎn zhāng yáng

Word origin

神 (shén, "spirit") + 气 (qì, "vital energy") form 神气 (shénqì, "spirit and bearing"), giving the word a concrete link between inner spirit and an outward air.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, the word often teases someone who looks overly pleased with a success, but the same comment can offend when the relationship is not friendly.

Other meanings

  • smugadjective
  • boastfuladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 神气儿shén qìrsmugnessnoun
  • 神气活现shén qì huó xiànact smugidiom

Word lists with this word