zi6 ming6自命
Jyutpingzi6 ming6
Yalejih mihng
Definition
To consider oneself as having a certain good quality; to self-identify as or think of oneself as.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong negative connotation of pretentiousness or unearned arrogance. It is almost always followed by an adjective or a phrase describing the specific quality the person falsely claims to possess, such as being talented or noble. It functions as a formal verb that is often used in descriptive or critical contexts rather than in direct address.
Examples
He always considers himself morally superior and doesn't like talking to people.
Why are you acting so self-important, thinking you're so smart?
Related words
Common phrases
to have an extraordinary sense of self-importance
to consider oneself morally superior
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 自信, which is a positive term for self-confidence. Using 自命 to describe someone's confidence will sound like you are insulting them by calling them arrogant or delusional.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
