得意
proud; pleased with oneself
déyì
What does 得意 mean?
得意 (déyì) is an adjective describing the feeling of being pleased or proud with oneself after a success — self-satisfied, triumphant, or smug. Literally 'to get one's wish (意),' it captures the glow of things going your way: 他考了第一，很得意 ('He came first and was very pleased with himself'). English speakers should note it carries a mild negative tinge when overdone: 得意 can shade into 'smug' or 'cocky,' especially in the set phrase 得意忘形 (déyì-wàngxíng, 'so pleased you lose all restraint').
Unlike English 'proud,' which can mean dignified self-respect (骄傲 covers that positive pride and also arrogance), 得意 specifically points to the pleased-with-yourself reaction to a particular win or good outcome. It is neutral in register. There is also a warm idiom 得意门生 ('a favorite / star student'), where 得意 means 'most treasured.'
Character breakdown
to get; to obtain
wish; intention; meaning
Memory hook: 得 (get) + 意 (what you wished for) → got what you wanted, so you're pleased with yourself.
Example sentences
他赢了比赛，脸上露出得意的笑容。
Tā yíng le bǐsài, liǎn shàng lùchū déyì de xiàoróng.
He won the match and wore a triumphant smile.
neutral
别太得意，还有下一场呢。
Bié tài déyì, hái yǒu xià yì chǎng ne.
Don't get too pleased with yourself — there's another round.
spoken
取得一点成绩就得意忘形是不好的。
Qǔdé yìdiǎn chéngjì jiù déyì-wàngxíng shì bù hǎo de.
Getting carried away over a small success is not good.
written
她是老师最得意的学生。
Tā shì lǎoshī zuì déyì de xuésheng.
She is the teacher's favorite student.
neutral
Common phrases with 得意
Synonyms
骄傲 means both 'proud (of something/someone)' and 'arrogant.' 得意 specifically means pleased-with-yourself over a success and leans toward smugness. You're 为孩子骄傲 (proud of your child) but 得意 about your own win.
自豪 is a purely positive, dignified pride (为祖国自豪, 'proud of one's country'). 得意 can sound smug and self-congratulatory; 自豪 never does.
Don't confuse 得意 with
FAQ
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