居功自傲
居功自傲 (jū gōng zì ào) literally means “arrogance from achievements” and expresses “pride leads to downfall”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: ju gong zi ao, ju gong zi ao,居功自傲 meaning, 居功自傲 in english
Pride leads to downfall
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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 居功自傲 mean in English?
居功自傲 (jū gōng zì ào) literally translates to “Arrogance from achievements” and is used to express “Pride leads to downfall”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 居功自傲 used?
Situation: His arrogance about his success made him unpopular among his peers.
What is the pinyin for 居功自傲?
The pinyin pronunciation for 居功自傲 is “jū gōng zì ào”.