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March 24, 2026
得意déyì(de2yi4)
得意 (de2 yi4) means to feel proud or pleased with oneself, often after achieving a success or receiving recognition. It can carry a nuance of complacency, suggesting that one may become overly self-satisfied or arrogant as a result of their accomplishments. This term is commonly used in contexts where someone's achievements lead to a sense of self-satisfaction.
Frequency#6922DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, so expressing too much 得意 can be frowned upon. It's often considered more appropriate to downplay one's achievements rather than boast about them.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing confidently on a podium, arms raised in victory, feeling '得意'. The character 得 resembles the act of gaining or receiving something valuable, while 意 signifies intention or meaning. Together, they paint a picture of someone who has gained recognition and feels proud.
Meanings of 得意
déyì(de2yi4)
1proud of oneself
2pleased with oneself
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About 得意
得意Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#6922Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 得意
Podcast: 得意
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AI Study Notes for 得意
Quick Contrast
得意 (déyì) vs 自豪 (zìháo): choose 得意 when implying a sense of complacency or arrogance, while 自豪 emphasizes pride without the negative connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing confidently on a podium, arms raised in victory, feeling '得意'. The character 得 resembles the act of gaining or receiving something valuable, while 意 signifies intention or meaning. Together, they paint a picture of someone who has gained recognition and feels proud.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 得意 in negative contexts, as it typically has a positive connotation. It is often used in informal situations but can also appear in formal contexts when discussing achievements. Be cautious with the tone, as saying it too boastfully may come off as arrogant.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 得意 connects to other emotions and feelings vocabulary. Focus on its usage in sentences expressing pride or satisfaction, and practice with related words like 自豪 (zì háo), which means 'proud'.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, so expressing too much 得意 can be frowned upon. It's often considered more appropriate to downplay one's achievements rather than boast about them.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 得意 to imply negativity, such as saying '我得意失败' (I am proud of my failure), which does not make sense. Instead, focus on positive contexts, like '我得意我的成功' (I am proud of my success).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 得意
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Grammar Patterns of 得意
得意 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Two men looked at me, nudged each other and smirked.
Cultural Notes for 得意
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, so expressing too much 得意 can be frowned upon. It's often considered more appropriate to downplay one's achievements rather than boast about them.
Frequently Asked Questions about 得意
Yes, 得意 can be used for both major and minor achievements, as long as the person feels a sense of pride.
While it generally has a positive connotation, it can imply arrogance if overused, so context matters.
For example, you could say, '他得意自己的成绩' (He is proud of his grades).
