# 沾沾自喜

zhān zhān zì xǐ

Be smugly pleased with oneself

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Dwell in repeated self-satisfaction

**Register:** Critical · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize complacent delight in a small achievement.

Healthy pride need not be smug.

## Understanding the expression

The repeated wording suggests someone lingering over their own success with too much satisfaction. Modern use criticizes smugness, especially when a modest achievement makes a person stop learning or dismiss others. It is less about joy itself than the narrow focus on how impressive one seems. Acknowledging progress can be healthy. The expression fits when that pride becomes complacency and blocks an honest view of remaining weaknesses, larger goals, or other people's contributions.

## Examples

别为一点成绩沾沾自喜。

### Traditional Chinese

別為一點成績沾沾自喜。

bié wèi yì diǎn chéng jì zhān zhān zì xǐ 。

Do not be smug over a small achievement.

他沾沾自喜，没看到新的问题。

### Traditional Chinese

他沾沾自喜，沒看到新的問題。

tā zhān zhān zì xǐ ， méi kàn dào xīn de wèn tí 。

His self satisfaction blinded him to new problems.

她提醒团队不要沾沾自喜。

### Traditional Chinese

她提醒團隊不要沾沾自喜。

tā tí xǐng tuán duì bú yào zhān zhān zì xǐ 。

She reminds the team not to become complacent.

获奖之后，他仍不沾沾自喜。

### Traditional Chinese

獲獎之後，他仍不沾沾自喜。

huò jiǎng zhī hòu ， tā réng bù zhān zhān zì xǐ 。

Even after the award, he remains free of smugness.

## 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%B2%BE%E6%B2%BE%E8%87%AA%E5%96%9C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=288&webMd=1&la=0)

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