# 妄自尊大

wàng zì zūn dà

Overestimate one's importance

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Presumptuously consider oneself great

**Register:** Critical · formal

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

## When to use it

Criticize baseless self-importance.

Self-respect and justified confidence are different.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase directs attention to an inflated judgment of oneself. A person assumes exceptional importance or ability without sufficient grounds and may expect others to accept that assumption. Modern usage criticizes arrogance rooted in poor self assessment. It differs from earned confidence because the claimed standing exceeds the evidence. The expression is a strong personal judgment, so describing the actual behavior is often fairer than using the label alone.

## Examples

他妄自尊大，看不起同伴。

tā wàng zì zūn dà ， kàn bù qǐ tóng bàn 。

He overestimates himself and looks down on his companions.

一次成功不足以让人妄自尊大。

### Traditional Chinese

一次成功不足以讓人妄自尊大。

yí cì chéng gōng bù zú yǐ ràng rén wàng zì zūn dà 。

One success does not justify inflated self importance.

她提醒团队别妄自尊大。

### Traditional Chinese

她提醒團隊別妄自尊大。

tā tí xǐng tuán duì bié wàng zì zūn dà 。

She reminds the team not to become self important.

那位评论者妄自尊大，拒绝任何质疑。

### Traditional Chinese

那位評論者妄自尊大，拒絕任何質疑。

nà wèi píng lùn zhě wàng zì zūn dà ， jù jué rèn hé zhì yí 。

That critic is arrogant and rejects every challenge.

## 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=%E5%A6%84%E8%87%AA%E5%B0%8A%E5%A4%A7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=113&webMd=1&la=0)

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