dak1 ji3得意
Jyutpingdak1 ji3
Yaledāk yi
Definition
Proud, arrogant, and cocky; pleased with oneself and reveling in one's own success.
colloquialdescriptionsemotion
How it's used
Distinguish this clearly from the common colloquial meaning of cute or adorable, which is how most learners first encounter the word. When used to mean arrogant, it implies a sense of smugness or self-satisfaction that often irritates others. It is frequently used to describe someone who is gloating over a recent victory or achievement.
Examples
He looks so cocky after winning the competition.
Don't be so arrogant, be careful or you might lose it all later.
Related words
Common phrases
to get carried away by one's success
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the meaning of cute or funny. If you tell a local that their child is 得意, they will think you are calling the child cute, not arrogant.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
