得意扬扬

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dé yì yáng yáng
• English Translation: Triumphant and self-satisfied (smug)
• Idiom Composition: 「得」（To obtain or attain）＋「意」（One's will, wishes, or intentions）＋「扬扬」（An exultant or proud manner (reduplicated for emphasis)）
• Meaning: To be immensely satisfied because one's wishes have been fulfilled, and to display that pride or joy openly. It describes a state of elation following success or victory, often carrying a nuance of being 'full of oneself' or acting high and mighty.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「得意扬扬」 contains the following nuances:

• Satisfaction and Display: The idiom emphasizes that the joy is not just internal; the confidence and satisfaction are 'overflowing' (扬扬 - yáng yáng) in the person's physical attitude and facial expressions.
• Dual Nuance: While it can describe pure, innocent happiness (like a child being praised), it is more frequently used with a negative tone to imply someone is 'gloating' or 'showing off' their success.

3. Usage

「得意扬扬」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• After success or victory: Used to describe the visible elation someone shows immediately after passing an exam, winning a game, or receiving a promotion.
  • Example:「他拿着奖杯，得意扬扬地向大家挥手。」
    （Holding the trophy, he waved to everyone triumphantly.）
• Critical description of arrogance: Used to criticize someone who is acting smug or looking down on others due to a minor achievement.
  • Example:「看他那得意扬扬的样子，真让人看不惯。」
    （Seeing that smug look of his really rubs people the wrong way.）

Additional Examples:

1. 赢了一局棋而已，不用那么得意扬扬吧。
   （You only won one game of chess; there's no need to be so full of yourself.）
2. 听到老师的表扬，小明得意扬扬地回到了座位。
   （After being praised by the teacher, Xiao Ming returned to his seat beaming with pride.）
3. 不要因为一点小成绩就得意扬扬，要保持谦虚。
   （Don't get carried away with success over a small achievement; you should remain humble.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Variation: This idiom is sometimes written as 得意洋洋 (dé yì yáng yáng). While 洋洋 (yáng yáng) literally suggests 'vast like the ocean,' in the context of this idiom, it is interchangeable with 扬扬 (yáng yáng) and carries the same meaning.
• Origin: The phrase is derived from the Records of the Grand Historian (史记 - Shǐjì) by the Western Han historian Sima Qian (司马迁), specifically in the 'Biographies of Guan and Yan' (管晏列传).
• Social Values: In Chinese culture, Humility (谦虚 - qiān xū) is considered a core virtue. Consequently, acting 得意扬扬 (dé yì yáng yáng) is often viewed as lacking class or maturity in adults, and is frequently used as a cautionary description.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 趾高气扬 (zhǐ gāo qì yáng): To step high and look proud; carries a much stronger negative nuance of being arrogant and looking down on others.
  • 眉飞色舞 (méi fēi sè wǔ): Beaming with joy; describes someone so happy that their eyebrows and face seem to 'dance,' focusing more on excitement than smugness.
  • 眉开眼笑 (méi kāi yǎn xiào): To beam with joy; to be all smiles.link
  • 大模大样 (dà mú dà yàng): To act in a grand and ostentatious manner.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 垂头丧气 (chuí tóu sàng qì): To hang one's head in dejection; crestfallen.link
  • 灰心丧气 (huī xīn sàng qì): To lose heart and be discouraged; disheartened.link

6. Summary

得意扬扬 (dé yì yáng yáng) describes someone who is visibly proud and satisfied after achieving a goal. While it can describe innocent happiness, it is frequently used in a critical way to suggest someone is being smug or acting 'high and mighty' after a success. Because Chinese culture values humility, this idiom often serves as a mild warning against arrogance.