沾沾自喜 zhān zhān zì xǐ self-satisfied

Explanation

形容自以为不错而得意的样子。

Describes someone who is very pleased with themselves and self-satisfied.

Origin Story

西汉时期，窦婴因平定七国之乱而被封为魏其侯。他本是汉景帝的重臣，但因为窦太后的排挤而称病在家。等到七国之乱爆发，汉景帝不得不启用窦婴，并委以重任。窦婴不负众望，成功平定了叛乱。然而，当他被封侯之后，却开始沾沾自喜，不再勤于政事，最终失去了皇帝的信任。

xī hàn shíqī, dòu yīng yīn píngdìng qīg guó zhī luàn ér bèi fēng wéi wèi qí hóu. tā běn shì hàn jǐng dì de zhòng chén, dàn yīn wèi dòu tàihòu de páijǐ ér chēng bìng zài jiā. děngdào qīg guó zhī luàn bàofā, hàn jǐng dì bùdé bù qǐyòng dòu yīng, bìng wěi yǐ zhòng rèn. dòu yīng bù fù zhòngwàng, chénggōng píngdìng le pànluàn. rán'ér, dāng tā bèi fēng hóu zhī hòu, què kāishǐ zhānzhān zìxǐ, bù zài qín yú zhèngshì, zuìzhōng shīqù le huángdì de xìnrèn

During the Western Han Dynasty, Dou Ying was appointed Marquis of Weiqi after suppressing the rebellion of the Seven States. He was an important minister of Emperor Jing of Han, but was sidelined by Empress Dowager Dou and feigned illness to return home. When the rebellion of the Seven States broke out, Emperor Jing had to appoint Dou Ying again and entrusted him with important responsibilities. Dou Ying lived up to expectations and successfully quelled the rebellion. However, after being enfeoffed as a marquis, he became complacent, no longer diligent in his official duties, and eventually lost the emperor's trust.

Usage

常用来形容人自以为是，洋洋得意，对自己的成就沾沾自喜。

cháng yòng lái xíngróng rén zì yǐwéi shì, yángyáng déyì, duì zìjǐ de chéngjiù zhānzhān zìxǐ

Often used to describe someone who is self-satisfied and proud of their achievements.

Examples

• 他取得一点小成绩就沾沾自喜，不知天高地厚。

  tā qǔdé yīdiǎn xiǎo chéngjì jiù zhānzhān zìxǐ, bù zhī tiānkāodìhòu

  He is complacent about a small achievement, unaware of the immensity of the task ahead.

• 这次考试取得好成绩，他沾沾自喜，洋洋得意。

  zhè cì kǎoshì qǔdé hǎo chéngjì, tā zhānzhān zìxǐ, yángyáng déyì

  He was very pleased with his good results in the exam,feeling proud and self-satisfied.

Related Idioms

• 自鸣得意

• 沾沾自满

Opposite Idioms

• 垂头丧气

• 灰心丧气