Meaning
得意 describes a feeling of pride or satisfaction, often with a hint of smugness or self-satisfaction. It originally meant 'to attain one's wishes' or 'to achieve what the heart desires.' The word can describe someone feeling pleased about their accomplishments or appearing self-satisfied, sometimes to the point of being overly proud.
Usage
得意 is commonly used to describe visible signs of pride or satisfaction, such as facial expressions or demeanor. Native speakers often use 得意洋洋 (dé yì yáng yáng) to emphasize someone looking extremely pleased with themselves. While it can be neutral, it often carries a slightly negative connotation of being too self-satisfied or showing off. Frequently appears with 不要太得意 (don't be too smug) as a warning.
Examples
- 01他考了第一名，得意地笑了。, .He got first place on the exam and smiled proudly.
- 02别太得意，后面还有更难的挑战呢。, .Don't be too smug; there are even harder challenges ahead.
Characters
Common collocations
- 得意洋洋immensely proud, triumphant
- 得意忘形to get carried away with success
- 得意的笑容a smug/satisfied smile
- 不要太得意don't be too pleased with yourself
Antonyms
Origin
Literally 'obtain + intention,' meaning to obtain what one's heart desires or to have one's wishes fulfilled. This classical usage evolved to describe the emotional state of satisfaction that comes from achieving what one wants.