Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xūróng: 虚荣 - Vanity, Vain, Vainglory ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** xurong, 虚荣, vanity in Chinese, vain definition, Chinese word for vain, vainglory, superficial, Chinese culture, empty glory, HSK 5, Chinese vocabulary * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word for vanity, **虚荣 (xūróng)**. This guide explores its meaning of "empty glory," breaking down the characters 虚 (empty) and 荣 (glory). Discover how **xūróng** is deeply connected to cultural concepts like "face" (面子) and how it's used in modern China to describe a superficial desire for admiration based on possessions, status, or appearance. This page provides practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to help you master this essential HSK 5 term. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xūróng * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** The quality of having excessive pride in one's own appearance, achievements, or possessions for the sake of impressing others; vanity. * **In a Nutshell:** **虚荣 (xūróng)** describes a specific type of pride that is hollow and superficial. It's not about genuine self-worth but about seeking admiration and envy from others through external things like luxury brands, social status, or exaggerated achievements. The feeling is negative, implying an inner emptiness that one tries to fill with outside approval. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **虚 (xū):** This character means "empty," "hollow," "false," or "unreal." Think of an empty room (空虚 - kōngxū) or a虛線 (xūxiàn), a "dotted line" which is not solid. * **荣 (róng):** This character means "glory," "honor," or "splendor." It’s found in words like 荣誉 (róngyù - honor) and 繁荣 (fánróng - prosperous). * Together, **虚荣 (xūróng)** literally translates to "empty glory" or "hollow honor." This brilliant combination perfectly captures the idea that the admiration sought is superficial and lacks real substance or merit. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **虚荣 (xūróng)** is inextricably linked to the core Chinese cultural concept of **[[面子]] (miànzi)**, or "face." "Face" is a person's reputation, social standing, and dignity in the eyes of others. Actions driven by **虚荣** are often attempts to gain or preserve **面子**. For example, buying a car one can't afford to impress neighbors is a classic case of **虚荣** aimed at boosting one's **面子**. * **Comparison to Western "Vanity":** While "vanity" is a close translation, **虚荣 (xūróng)** carries a stronger, more explicit condemnation of being "empty." In Western culture, taking pride in one's appearance can sometimes be framed positively as "self-care" or "confidence." In contrast, **虚荣** is almost always a criticism. It points to a moral or personal failing—a lack of inner substance and an over-reliance on the shallow judgment of society. It's less about "I look good" and more about "I need others to think I am impressive." * With China's rapid economic growth, **虚荣** has become a common term in discussions about consumerism, materialism (**拜金主义 - bàijīn zhǔyì**), and the pressures of social media, where individuals curate an image of a perfect, successful life. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Connotation:** Exclusively negative. Calling someone **虚荣** is a direct criticism of their character and motivations. * **Formality:** Used in both formal and informal contexts. You might hear it in a casual conversation between friends or read it in a serious social commentary. * **Common Collocation:** The most frequent usage is in the term **虚荣心 (xūróng xīn)**, which means "a vain heart/mind" or "the feeling of vanity." People are often described as having a "strong sense of vanity" (虚荣心很强 - xūróngxīn hěn qiáng). * **Usage Scenarios:** * **Critiquing Consumerism:** To describe someone who buys luxury goods not for quality, but solely for the brand name to show off. * **Social Media:** To criticize influencers or friends who post content solely to make others envious. * **Personal Relationships:** To describe someone who chooses a partner based on wealth or status rather than love. * **Self-Reflection:** A person might admit, "我太虚荣了 (Wǒ tài xūróng le)" - "I was too vain." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 她买那个名牌包完全是出于**虚荣**。 * Pinyin: Tā mǎi nàge míngpái bāo wánquán shì chūyú **xūróng**. * English: She bought that designer bag purely out of **vanity**. * Analysis: This is a classic example linking **虚荣** directly to luxury consumerism. The motivation is not the item itself, but the status it projects. * **Example 2:** * 他的**虚荣**心很强，总是和别人攀比。 * Pinyin: Tā de **xūróng**xīn hěn qiáng, zǒngshì hé biérén pānbǐ. * English: His sense of **vanity** is very strong; he's always comparing himself to others. * Analysis: This introduces the common phrase **虚荣心 (xūróngxīn)** and connects it to the behavior of **攀比 (pānbǐ)**, "keeping up with the Joneses." * **Example 3:** * 为了满足自己的**虚荣**，他不惜借钱买了一辆豪车。 * Pinyin: Wèile mǎnzú zìjǐ de **xūróng**, tā bùxī jièqián mǎile yí liàng háochē. * English: To satisfy his own **vanity**, he went so far as to borrow money to buy a luxury car. * Analysis: This sentence highlights the negative consequences of vanity, showing that it can lead to irresponsible decisions. * **Example 4:** * 你不应该被**虚荣**所控制，要追求一些更有意义的东西。 * Pinyin: Nǐ bù yìnggāi bèi **xūróng** suǒ kòngzhì, yào zhuīqiú yīxiē gèng yǒu yìyì de dōngxi. * English: You shouldn't be controlled by **vanity**; you should pursue things that are more meaningful. * Analysis: Here, **虚荣** is presented as a negative force to be overcome. This is a common way to give advice. * **Example 5:** * 在社交媒体上炫耀财富是一种非常**虚荣**的行为。 * Pinyin: Zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng xuànyào cáifù shì yī zhǒng fēicháng **xūróng** de xíngwéi. * English: Flaunting wealth on social media is a very **vain** act. * Analysis: This uses **虚荣** as an adjective to describe a behavior (**行为 - xíngwéi**), directly connecting it to modern social media culture. * **Example 6:** * 他对名利的追求，说到底，只是**虚荣**在作祟。 * Pinyin: Tā duì mínglì de zhuīqiú, shuō dàodǐ, zhǐshì **xūróng** zài zuòsuì. * English: His pursuit of fame and fortune, in the final analysis, is just **vanity** at play. * Analysis: The phrase 在作祟 (zài zuòsuì) means "to be making mischief" or "to be the cause of trouble," personifying **虚荣** as a malevolent influence. * **Example 7:** * 她嫁给他是因为爱，而不是因为**虚荣**。 * Pinyin: Tā jià gěi tā shì yīnwèi ài, ér bùshì yīnwèi **xūróng**. * English: She married him for love, not for **vanity**. * Analysis: This sentence sets up a powerful contrast between a genuine emotion (love) and a superficial motivation (**虚荣**), a common theme in stories and real-life discussions. * **Example 8:** * 年轻时，我承认自己有点**虚荣**，总想得到所有人的认可。 * Pinyin: Niánqīng shí, wǒ chéngrèn zìjǐ yǒudiǎn **xūróng**, zǒng xiǎng dédào suǒyǒu rén de rènkě. * English: When I was young, I admit I was a bit **vain** and always wanted everyone's approval. * Analysis: This shows how **虚荣** can be used in self-reflection or confession. It's linked to the need for external validation (认可 - rènkě). * **Example 9:** * 真正的自信来自内心，而不是外在的**虚荣**。 * Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de zìxìn láizì nèixīn, ér bùshì wàizài de **xūróng**. * English: True self-confidence comes from within, not from external **vanity**. * Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts **虚荣** with its positive counterpart, **自信 (zìxìn)**, clarifying the meaning for learners. * **Example 10:** * 这个故事的教训是，**虚荣**最终会导致毁灭。 * Pinyin: Zhège gùshì de jiàoxun shì, **xūróng** zuìzhōng huì dǎozhì huǐmiè. * English: The moral of this story is that **vanity** ultimately leads to destruction. * Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a more formal or literary context, such as summarizing a fable or a piece of literature. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **False Friends: "Confidence" and "Pride"** * Don't confuse **虚荣 (xūróng)** with **自信 (zìxìn - self-confidence)**. **自信** is positive and internal. It's about believing in your own abilities. **虚荣** is negative and external; it's about needing others to believe you are great based on superficial proof. * It's also different from **骄傲 (jiāo'ào)**. **骄傲** can be positive ("I'm proud of my daughter") or negative ("He's too arrogant"). But **虚荣** is *always* negative because of its inherent "emptiness" (虚). * **Common Pitfall: Over-application** * A learner might mistakenly call someone **虚荣** just for dressing well or liking nice things. This is incorrect. The term is only appropriate when the *motivation* is clearly to show off and gain superficial admiration from others, especially if it's beyond one's means or inconsistent with one's true self. Simply appreciating beauty or quality is not **虚荣**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[面子]] (miànzi) - "Face"; social standing. **虚荣** is often a destructive way to try and gain **面子**. * [[虚荣心]] (xūróng xīn) - The state or feeling of vanity. The most common way **虚荣** is used in a sentence (e.g., "他的虚荣心太强了" - "His vanity is too strong"). * [[炫耀]] (xuànyào) - To show off, to flaunt. This is the primary action driven by **虚荣**. * [[攀比]] (pānbǐ) - To compare with and try to surpass others (materially or socially). A behavior that stems directly from **虚荣心**. * [[爱面子]] (ài miànzi) - Lit. "to love face." Describes a person who is very concerned with their social image, often a characteristic of a **虚荣** person. * [[拜金]] (bàijīn) - To worship money, to be materialistic. A common value system that fuels **虚荣**. * [[浮夸]] (fúkuā) - Pompous, exaggerated, ostentatious. This adjective describes the style and behavior that often accompanies **虚荣**. * [[自信]] (zìxìn) - Self-confidence. A key antonym. **自信** is internal and positive; **虚荣** is external and negative. * [[骄傲]] (jiāo'ào) - Pride, arrogance. Can be positive or negative, but lacks the specific "empty" connotation of **虚荣**. * [[自卑]] (zìbēi) - To have low self-esteem. Paradoxically, psychologists might argue that extreme **虚荣** often stems from a deep-seated feeling of **自卑**.