joeng4 joeng4揚揚扬扬
Jyutpingjoeng4 joeng4
Yaleyèuhng yèuhng
Definition
To be pleased, self-satisfied, or triumphant.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the reduplicated form得意揚揚 to describe someone who is acting smug, conceited, or overly proud of their success. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is showing off or being insufferable about their achievement. While it relates to being happy, it specifically highlights the outward, boastful display of that happiness.
Examples
He won the competition and looks so smug and pleased with himself.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the standard Mandarin usage of 揚揚, which can be more neutral or literary. In Cantonese, using it outside of the phrase 得意揚揚 will sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
