wai4 ngo5 duk6 zyun1惟我獨尊惟我独尊

Jyutpingwai4 ngo5 duk6 zyun1

Yalewàih ngóh duhk jyūn

Definition

Extremely egotistical, self-important, or conceited.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

Originating from Buddhist scriptures to describe the unique status of the Buddha, this idiom has evolved into a negative label for someone who is arrogant and self-centered. It carries a heavy tone of criticism, implying that the person acts as if they are the center of the universe. It is rarely used in a positive or neutral context.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日wai4惟ngo5我duk6獨zyun1尊，hou2好naan4難tung4同jan4人soeng1相cyu3處。

He is always egoistic, making it hard to get along with others.

nei5你m4唔hou2好ji5以wai4為zi6自gei2己wai4惟ngo5我duk6獨zyun1尊，sai3世gaai3界hou2好daai6大㗎。

Don't think you are the only one that matters; the world is a big place.

Common phrases

taai3態dou6度wai4惟ngo5我duk6獨zyun1尊

an egoistic attitude

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a term of self-confidence or leadership, but it is almost exclusively used to describe someone who is insufferably conceited or dismissive of others.