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March 24, 2026
炫耀xuànyào(xuan4yao4)
炫耀 (xuan4 yao4) means to show off or flaunt, often implying a sense of pride in one's possessions or achievements. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is boasting about their success or material goods, and it can carry a negative connotation suggesting arrogance or superficiality.
Frequency#5923DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing off can be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. However, in certain contexts, such as social media,炫耀 can be more accepted, reflecting a blend of traditional values and modern influences.
Memory Tip
Imagine a peacock (炫) fanning its colorful feathers (耀) to dazzle everyone around. The peacock's need to show off its beauty connects to the idea of炫耀, where one flaunts what they have to gain attention.
Meanings of 炫耀
xuànyào(xuan4yao4)
1to show off
2to flaunt
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 炫耀
炫耀Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5923Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 炫耀
Podcast: 炫耀
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AI Study Notes for 炫耀
Quick Contrast
炫耀 (show off) vs 显示 (show) — use 炫耀 when implying pride or arrogance, while 显示 is neutral and simply means to display.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a peacock (炫) fanning its colorful feathers (耀) to dazzle everyone around. The peacock's need to show off its beauty connects to the idea of炫耀, where one flaunts what they have to gain attention.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when using 炫耀, as it can imply a negative judgment about someone's behavior. It's often found in informal conversations but can be used in formal contexts when discussing social behavior. Common collocations include '炫耀财富' (show off wealth) and '炫耀成绩' (flaunt achievements).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 炫耀 connects with other words related to pride and self-display, such as 显示 (xian3 shi4 - to show) and 夸耀 (kua1 yao4 - to boast). Focus on using it in context to describe social situations or behaviors.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing off can be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. However, in certain contexts, such as social media,炫耀 can be more accepted, reflecting a blend of traditional values and modern influences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 炫耀 in contexts where humility is expected, such as '我炫耀我的朋友' (I show off my friends), which sounds inappropriate. A correction would be to say '我尊重我的朋友' (I respect my friends) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 炫耀
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Grammar Patterns of 炫耀
炫耀 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他____自己通过装病来逃避服兵役。
He boasts of dodging military service by feigning illness.
They have a tendency to show off, to dramatize almost every situation.
7
他们开着劳斯莱斯到处转悠，公开炫耀他们的财富。
tā mén kāi zháo láo sī lái sī dào chǔ zhuǎn yōu， ， gōng kāi xuàn yào tā mén de cái。
They drove around in Rolls-Royces, openly flaunting their wealth.
8
周末杰克炫耀了一番自己新交的女朋友。
zhōu mò jié kè xuàn yào le yī fān zì jǐ xīn jiāo de nǚ péng yǒu。
Jack showed off his latest squeeze at the weekend.
9
邦尼向朋友们炫耀, 在草地上拿大顶.
bāng ní xiàng péng yǒu mén xuàn yào, , zài cǎo dì shàng ná dà.
Bonnie was showing off to her friends, doing handstands on the grass.
10
卡罗琳辨别出了真金的价值, 知道那种炫耀的铁渣只有迷惑人的外表.
kǎ luó lín biàn bié chū le zhēn jīn de jià zhí, , zhī dào nà zhǒng xuàn yào de tiě zhā zhī yǒu mí huò rén de wài.
Caroline felt the value of the true ore, and knew the deception of the flashy dross.
Cultural Notes for 炫耀
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, showing off can be viewed negatively, as humility is often valued. However, in certain contexts, such as social media,炫耀 can be more accepted, reflecting a blend of traditional values and modern influences.
Frequently Asked Questions about 炫耀
While it often has a negative connotation, it can be context-dependent. For instance, celebrating achievements among friends may not be seen as negative.
Caution is advised; while it can be used formally, it may come off as judgmental. Consider using more neutral terms in formal discussions.
炫耀 emphasizes boasting or flaunting, while 显示 simply means to show or display something without the connotation of pride.
