得意忘形
得意忘形 (dé yì wàng xíng) literally means “so pleased as to forget one's form” and expresses “become carried away by success”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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Become carried away by success
Pronunciation: dé yì wàng xíng Literal meaning: So pleased as to forget one's form
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being so pleased (得意) that one forgets (忘) proper form or behavior (形). It warns that excessive joy or success can lead to loss of composure and judgment. The phrase appeared in texts about the dangers of hubris following achievement. Modern usage warns against letting success go to one's head, leading to inappropriate behavior or poor decisions.
Examples
English: "His success made him careless about his professional conduct."
Chinese: 成功让他得意忘形，忽视了职业操守。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 得意忘形 mean in English?
得意忘形 (dé yì wàng xíng) literally translates to “So pleased as to forget one's form” and is used to express “Become carried away by success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 得意忘形 used?
Situation: His success made him careless about his professional conduct.
What is the pinyin for 得意忘形?
The pinyin pronunciation for 得意忘形 is “dé yì wàng xíng”.