adjective HSK 5
arrogant · conceited · self-important
Meaning
自大 describes someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves and their abilities. It combines 自 (self) and 大 (big/great) to literally mean 'self-big,' conveying the idea of someone who thinks too highly of themselves. This is a negative character trait in Chinese culture, which traditionally values humility.
Usage
自大 is used to criticize someone's arrogant attitude or behavior. It's a fairly strong negative judgment, so use it carefully. Common in both spoken and written contexts when describing personality flaws. Often appears in phrases like 骄傲自大 (proud and arrogant) for emphasis.
Examples
- 01他太自大了，总觉得自己比别人聪明。, .He's too arrogant, always thinking he's smarter than others.
- 02骄傲自大的人往往很难听进别人的意见。.Proud and arrogant people often find it hard to listen to others' opinions.
Characters
Common collocations
- 骄傲自大proud and arrogant
- 自大狂megalomaniac
- 自大的态度arrogant attitude
Antonyms
Origin
The word literally means 'self-big,' where 自 (self) combines with 大 (big) to suggest someone who sees themselves as overly important or superior to others.