妄自尊大
妄自尊大 (wàng zì zūn dà) literally means “unreasonably consider oneself great” and expresses “be conceited; have an inflated ego”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: wang zi zun da, wang zi zun da,妄自尊大 meaning, 妄自尊大 in english
Be conceited; have an inflated ego
Pronunciation: wàng zì zūn dà
Literal meaning: Unreasonably consider oneself great
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes unreasonably (妄) considering oneself (自) honorable and great (尊大). It is the opposite of 妄自菲薄, describing excessive self-importance without justification. The phrase appeared in historical texts criticizing rulers who overestimated their power. Modern usage warns against arrogance and inflated self-assessment that can lead to poor judgment and failure.
Examples
English: "His overconfidence blinded him to his obvious weaknesses."
Chinese: 他妄自尊大，看不到自己明显的弱点。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 妄自尊大 mean in English?
妄自尊大 (wàng zì zūn dà) literally translates to “Unreasonably consider oneself great” and is used to express “Be conceited; have an inflated ego”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 妄自尊大 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be conceited; have an inflated ego.
What is the pinyin for 妄自尊大?
The pinyin pronunciation for 妄自尊大 is “wàng zì zūn dà”.