Understanding "骄傲" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 骄傲
• Pinyin: jiāo'ào
• Literal Meaning: "Proud" or "arrogant" (骄傲 combines "骄" meaning "haughty" and "傲" meaning "proud.")
• Primary Meaning:
• Positive sense: Pride, a feeling of satisfaction in one's or others' achievements.
• Negative sense: Arrogance, an excessive sense of superiority over others.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"骄傲" is a versatile word that can express both positive and negative connotations, depending on context.
- Positive: Used to describe pride in accomplishments, e.g., "我为我的学生感到骄傲" (I am proud of my students).
- Negative: Used to criticize arrogance, e.g., "他太骄傲了，从不听别人的意见" (He is too arrogant and never listens to others).

Character Breakdown

• 骄 (jiāo): Originally meant "a spirited horse," later extended to mean "haughty" or "overbearing."
• 傲 (ào): Means "proud" or "disdainful," often with a negative tone.
  Together, they intensify the meaning of pride, which can be either admirable or excessive.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 她为儿子的成功感到骄傲。
   Pinyin: Tā wèi érzi de chénggōng gǎndào jiāo'ào.
   English: She feels proud of her son's success.

2. Chinese: 骄傲使人落后。
   Pinyin: Jiāo'ào shǐ rén luòhòu.
   English: Arrogance makes people fall behind.

3. Chinese: 他虽然聪明，但从不骄傲。
   Pinyin: Tā suīrán cōngmíng, dàn cóng bù jiāo'ào.
   English: Although he is smart, he is never arrogant.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, so "骄傲" is often used cautiously. While pride in achievements is acceptable, excessive pride (傲慢, àomàn) is frowned upon. The phrase "谦虚使人进步，骄傲使人落后" (Humility leads to progress, pride leads to decline) reflects this cultural emphasis.

Conclusion

"骄傲" (jiāo'ào) is a word with dual meanings—positive pride and negative arrogance. Pay attention to context to determine its tone. Use it to celebrate achievements, but avoid sounding boastful!