# 踌躇满志

chóu chú mǎn zhì

Feel proudly satisfied or confident in one's achievement

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be filled with proud purpose

**Traditional Chinese:** 躊躇滿志

**Register:** Positive · literary

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe satisfaction after accomplishment or confidence about plans.

Can sound smug; not the same as anxious hesitation.

## Understanding the expression

The expression combines a sense of assured readiness with satisfaction in what has been achieved or planned. A person may feel proud after completing a difficult work or confident about the next stage. It should not be confused with hesitation just because the opening word can suggest that elsewhere. The tone may admire ambition or hint at self-satisfaction. Concrete achievement or preparation makes the confidence understandable rather than merely unsupported optimism.

## Examples

作品完成后，他踌躇满志。

### Traditional Chinese

作品完成後，他躊躇滿志。

zuò pǐn wán chéng hòu ， tā chóu chú mǎn zhì 。

He felt proudly satisfied after finishing the work.

她拿着创业计划，踌躇满志。

### Traditional Chinese

她拿著創業計劃，躊躇滿志。

tā ná zhe chuàng yè jì huà ， chóu chú mǎn zhì 。

She felt confident about her business plan.

球队赛前踌躇满志，却遇到了强劲的对手。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊賽前躊躇滿志，卻遇到了強勁的對手。

qiú duì sài qián chóu chú mǎn zhì ， què yù dào le qiáng jìng de duì shǒu 。

The team began confidently but met a strong opponent.

获得资格后，他踌躇满志地开始新工作。

### Traditional Chinese

獲得資格後，他躊躇滿志地開始新工作。

huò dé zī gé hòu ， tā chóu chú mǎn zhì dì kāi shǐ xīn gōng zuò 。

After qualifying, he began the new job confidently.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%BA%8A%E8%BA%87%E6%BB%BF%E5%BF%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=597&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [初出茅庐 chū chū máo lú Begin a career with little experience ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-chu-mao-lu)

- [出口成章 chū kǒu chéng zhāng Speak fluently in well-formed language ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-kou-cheng-zhang)

- [出类拔萃 chū lèi bá cuì Stand out as exceptionally capable ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-lei-ba-cui)

- [出人头地 chū rén tóu dì Stand out through achievement ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-ren-tou-di)

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