Meaning
吹嘘 means to boast or brag about oneself or something, often exaggerating achievements or qualities. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting the person is overstating things or showing off in an unpleasant way. The word combines 吹 (to blow) with 嘘 (to exhale or puff), creating an image of blowing hot air.
Usage
吹嘘 is commonly used in informal contexts to criticize someone for bragging or making exaggerated claims. It's often followed by the object being bragged about. Native speakers might say someone 喜欢吹嘘自己 (likes to boast about themselves) or 别吹嘘了 (stop bragging). The tone is disapproving, so use it carefully when describing someone's behavior.
Examples
- 01他总是吹嘘自己认识很多名人。.He's always bragging that he knows a lot of celebrities.
- 02别再吹嘘你的成绩了，大家都知道真相。, .Stop boasting about your grades; everyone knows the truth.
Characters
Common collocations
- 吹嘘自己to boast about oneself
- 大肆吹嘘to boast wildly
- 到处吹嘘to brag everywhere
- 吹嘘自己的成就to boast about one's achievements
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 吹 (blow) and 嘘 (exhale) creates a vivid metaphor of someone blowing hot air or empty words, which naturally evolved to mean boasting or exaggerating.