adjective HSK 5
proud · arrogant · haughty
Meaning
傲 describes a proud or arrogant attitude, often carrying a negative connotation of being overly self-satisfied or looking down on others. It can also mean standing tall and unyielding, like in describing natural scenery or a person's backbone.
Usage
This character rarely appears alone in modern Mandarin and is typically used in compound words like 骄傲 (proud), 傲慢 (arrogant), or 高傲 (haughty). When used positively, it suggests dignified pride or an unyielding spirit; when negative, it implies conceit or disdain for others.
Examples
- 01他傲气十足，从不听别人的意见。, .He is full of arrogance and never listens to others' opinions.
- 02梅花傲雪开放，象征着坚强不屈的精神。, .Plum blossoms bloom proudly in the snow, symbolizing an unyielding spirit.
Common collocations
- 傲气proud attitude, arrogance
- 傲骨unyielding character, backbone
- 孤傲aloof and proud
Antonyms
Origin
The character 傲 consists of the person radical 亻(person) and 敖 (phonetic component), originally suggesting a person standing tall or acting superior.