居功自傲

Pronunciation: jū gōng zì ào Literal meaning: Arrogance from achievements

Origin & Usage

Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 居功自傲 (jū gōng zì ào) warns against the dangers of arrogance following success. The phrase is composed of four characters: 居 (jū, to occupy), 功 (gōng, achievement), 自 (zì, self), and 傲 (ào, arrogance). It describes a person who becomes conceited due to their accomplishments, often leading to negative consequences. A historical example is the story of Xu You, who, despite his contributions, faced dire outcomes due to his arrogance. In modern usage, this idiom serves as a reminder to remain humble and cautious, even in the face of success, to avoid the pitfalls of pride.

Examples

English: "His arrogance about his success made him unpopular among his peers."

Chinese: 他对自己的成就居功自傲，导致同事们都不喜欢他。