gong1亢

Jyutpinggong1

Yalegōng

Definition

Arrogant, self-important, or intense.

arrogant; self-important; holding oneself in high regard
strong; intense; extreme

writtendescriptions

How it's used

This character is primarily used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual daily speech. While it conveys a sense of extreme arrogance or being high and mighty, it is most commonly encountered as part of fixed idioms like 不卑不亢. Using it in everyday conversation can sound quite scholarly or overly dramatic.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時fan6份jan4人hou2好kong3亢，seng4成jat6日gok3覺dak1得zi6自gei2己zeoi3最lek1叻。

He is usually very arrogant, always thinking he is the best.

zou6做jan4人m4唔hou2好gam3咁gong1亢，him1謙heoi1虛di1啲sin1先wui2會jau5有jan4人zung1鍾ji3意。

Don't be so arrogant in life; people will only like you if you are humble.

Common phrases

bat1不bei1卑bat1不kong3亢

neither humble nor arrogant

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 亢奮, which refers to being hyperactive or excited. While both share the character, 亢 alone specifically targets the personality trait of arrogance, whereas 亢奮 describes a physiological or emotional state of high energy.