得意洋洋 — “To be extremely pleased with oneself”
得意洋洋 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be extremely pleased with oneself”. To be highly complacent or triumphant; to look smug and self-satisfied. Literally, “overflowing with self-satisfaction”.
Frequency
得意洋洋 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 得dé
- 意yì
- 洋yáng
- 洋yáng
得意洋洋 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 得意洋洋
小明在考试中取得了优异成绩，不禁得意洋洋地向同学们展示他的高分。
Xiao Ming, having achieved excellent grades in the exam, couldn't help but beam with pride as he showed his high score to his classmates.
Origin and Story of 得意洋洋
During the Spring and Autumn period, Yan Ying, who served as prime minister for three reigns in the State of Qi, held a high position but was always composed and very modest in his actions.
His coachman, however, felt extremely proud and self-satisfied that he could drive for the prime minister.
Upon seeing this, the coachman's wife admonished him, saying he should learn from Yan Ying. From then on, the coachman became very humble.
Yan Ying, observing his willingness to correct his mistakes, thought highly of his improved conduct.
Idioms Related to 得意洋洋
Antonyms of 得意洋洋
More idioms starting with 得
- dé得yī一wàng望shí十insatiably greedy and never satisfied
- dé得yī一zhī知jǐ己，，sǐ死kě可wú无hèn恨To find a soulmate, die without regret
- dé得bù不cháng偿sàng丧losses outweigh gains
- dé得bù不cháng偿shī失the losses outweigh the gains
- dé得bù不bǔ补shī失gains do not offset losses
- dé得bù不chóu酬shī失gains do not compensate for losses
- dé得yú于xīn心yīng应yú于shǒu手mastery of mind and hand
- dé得rén人sǐ死lì力win people's utmost loyalty and effort
- dé得rén人zhě者chāng昌，，shī失rén人zhě者wáng亡Gain support, thrive; lose support, perish
- dé得rén人qián钱cái财，，yǔ与rén人xiāo消zāi灾take money, avert disaster
- dé得xiū休biàn便xiū休know when to stop
- dé得pián便yi宜mài卖guāi乖gain advantage and then act smug
Questions about 得意洋洋
- What does 得意洋洋 mean?
- 得意洋洋 (dé yì yáng yáng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be extremely pleased with oneself”.
- How do you pronounce 得意洋洋?
- 得意洋洋 is pronounced dé yì yáng yáng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 得意洋洋 literally mean?
- Literally, 得意洋洋 means “overflowing with self-satisfaction”. It is used to mean “to be extremely pleased with oneself”.
- Where does 得意洋洋 come from?
- 得意洋洋 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 得意洋洋?
- 洋洋：得意的样子。形容称心如意、沾沾自喜的样子。