# 恃才傲物

shì cái ào wù

Treat others arrogantly because of one’s talent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Rely on talent and despise others

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize ability accompanied by contempt.

Confidence does not require belittling others.

## Understanding the expression

Talent becomes the basis for believing other people deserve little respect. The expression criticizes a person who dismisses colleagues, refuses feedback, or behaves as though skill exempts them from ordinary courtesy. It does not deny the ability itself. A gifted person can remain confident while recognizing different kinds of expertise. The negative judgment concerns how talent is used in relationships, especially when arrogance prevents cooperation or conceals the person’s own limitations.

## Examples

他恃才傲物，不肯听建议。

### Traditional Chinese

他恃才傲物，不肯聽建議。

tā shì cái ào wù ， bù kěn tīng jiàn yì 。

He was arrogant about his talent and refused advice.

她有天赋，却从不恃才傲物。

### Traditional Chinese

她有天賦，卻從不恃才傲物。

tā yǒu tiān fù ， què cóng bù shì cái ào wù 。

She is gifted but never treats others arrogantly.

恃才傲物让他失去合作机会。

### Traditional Chinese

恃才傲物讓他失去合作機會。

shì cái ào wù ràng tā shī qù hé zuò jī huì 。

His contemptuous pride in his talent cost him opportunities to collaborate.

老师提醒他别恃才傲物。

### Traditional Chinese

老師提醒他別恃才傲物。

lǎo shī tí xǐng tā bié shì cái ào wù 。

The teacher warned him not to become arrogant because of his ability.

## 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=%E6%81%83%E6%89%8D%E5%82%B2%E7%89%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=896&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [世态炎凉 shì tài yán liáng People’s warmth changes with one’s fortune ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-tai-yan-liang)

- [食言而肥 shí yán ér féi Break a promise ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-yan-er-fei)

- [守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng Keep a secret completely ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shou-kou-ru-ping)

- [守望相助 shǒu wàng xiāng zhù Help and protect one another ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shou-wang-xiang-zhu)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 势不两立 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-bu-liang-li) [Next idiom 适得其反 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-de-qi-fan)