zìyǐwéishì: 自以为是 - Self-righteous, Smug, Opinionated

• Keywords: ziyiweishi, zì yǐ wéi shì, 自以为是 meaning, Chinese for smug, self-righteous in Chinese, opinionated in Chinese, arrogant Chinese idiom, what is ziyiweishi, Chinese chengyu, 自以为是 vs 自信
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 自以为是 (zìyǐwéishì), a common Chinese idiom (chengyu) describing someone who is self-righteous, smug, and overly opinionated. This guide breaks down the characters, explores the cultural context behind this negative term, and provides 10 practical example sentences to help you understand why being “ziyiweishi” is different from being confident (自信, zìxìn) in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zì yǐ wéi shì
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To consider oneself to be correct; to be self-righteous, smug, or opinionated.
• In a Nutshell: This is not a compliment. `自以为是` describes a person who is stubbornly convinced that their own opinions are the only correct ones. They are closed-minded, dismissive of others' views, and often come across as arrogant. It implies a kind of foolishness rooted in ignorance, not the strength that comes from true knowledge. Think of the classic “know-it-all” who refuses to listen to reason.

• 自 (zì): self, oneself, from
• 以 (yǐ): to take…as, to regard as, to consider
• 为 (wéi): to be, as
• 是 (shì): right, correct, yes

The characters literally translate to “self-regard-as-right.” This structure paints a vivid picture of the idiom's meaning: someone whose entire worldview is based on the unshakeable assumption that they, themselves, are the ultimate standard of what is correct.

• In Chinese culture, which traditionally values humility (谦虚, qiānxū) and group harmony, being `自以为是` is a significant social flaw. It signals a lack of self-awareness and disrespect for the opinions and feelings of others, whether they are elders, colleagues, or friends. Such behavior can cause others to lose “face” (面子, miànzi) and is seen as disruptive and immature.
• Comparison with Western Culture: In Western cultures, particularly American culture, “being opinionated” or “self-assured” can sometimes be viewed neutrally or even positively, suggesting confidence and leadership. However, `自以为是` is always negative. It lacks the potential for a positive interpretation. While a Western boss might be praised for being “decisive,” a Chinese boss who doesn't listen to their team's input risks being labeled `自以为是`. The term focuses on the foolish arrogance of believing one's subjective view is an objective truth, a trait universally disliked but particularly criticized in a collectivist-leaning culture.

• Connotation: Strongly negative. It's used as a criticism or an insult. You would never use it to describe someone you admire.
• Formality: Used in a wide range of situations, from informal complaints among friends to more formal criticism in a work or academic setting.
• Common Situations:
  • Describing a stubborn person who won't accept advice.
  • Criticizing a boss or colleague who dismisses others' ideas without consideration.
  • In online arguments, to label someone as a closed-minded “know-it-all.”
  • In self-reflection, to admit one's own past arrogance (e.g., “我以前太自以为是了” - I used to be so self-righteous).

• Example 1:
  • 他这个人最大的缺点就是太自以为是了，从来不听别人的建议。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zuìdà de quēdiǎn jiùshì tài zìyǐwéishì le, cónglái bù tīng biérén de jiànyì.
  • English: This person's biggest flaw is that he's too self-righteous; he never listens to other people's suggestions.
  • Analysis: A very common and direct criticism of someone's personality. It's often used when complaining about a person's stubbornness.
• Example 2:
  • 年轻人，不要那么自以为是，多听听长辈的意见。
  • Pinyin: Niánqīng rén, bùyào nàme zìyǐwéishì, duō tīngting zhǎngbèi de yìjiàn.
  • English: Young man, don't be so smug; you should listen more to the opinions of your elders.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural value of respecting elders. An older person is using this term to admonish a younger person for their arrogance.
• Example 3:
  • 你这种自以为是的态度会让你失去很多朋友。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè zhǒng zìyǐwéishì de tàidù huì ràng nǐ shīqù hěnduō péngyǒu.
  • English: Your self-righteous attitude will make you lose a lot of friends.
  • Analysis: Here, `自以为是` is used as an adjective to modify “attitude” (态度, tàidù). This is a direct warning about the social consequences of such behavior.
• Example 4:
  • 我承认我过去有点自以为是，现在我知道错了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ guòqù yǒudiǎn zìyǐwéishì, xiànzài wǒ zhīdào cuò le.
  • English: I admit I was a bit self-righteous in the past, now I know I was wrong.
  • Analysis: An example of self-criticism. Using this term to describe oneself shows humility and a desire to change.
• Example 5:
  • 别跟他争了，他就是个自以为是的家伙。
  • Pinyin: Bié gēn tā zhēng le, tā jiùshì ge zìyǐwéishì de jiāhuo.
  • English: Stop arguing with him, he's just a smug guy.
  • Analysis: An informal and dismissive way to end an argument. “家伙” (jiāhuo) makes the tone very colloquial.
• Example 6:
  • 她的报告充满了自以为是的论断，却缺乏足够的数据支持。
  • Pinyin: Tā de bàogào chōngmǎnle zìyǐwéishì de lùnduàn, què quēfá zúgòu de shùjù zhīchí.
  • English: Her report was full of self-righteous assertions, but it lacked sufficient data to support them.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal, professional use of the term. It criticizes the academic or professional work as being based on opinion rather than fact.
• Example 7:
  • 一个真正的领导者是自信的，而不是自以为是的。
  • Pinyin: Yīge zhēnzhèng de lǐngdǎozhě shì zìxìn de, ér bùshì zìyǐwéishì de.
  • English: A true leader is self-confident, not self-righteous.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly contrasts `自以为是` with its positive counterpart, `自信` (zìxìn), highlighting a key nuance for learners.
• Example 8:
  • 如果你继续这么自以为是，这个项目迟早会失败。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ jìxù zhème zìyǐwéishì, zhège xiàngmù chízǎo huì shībài.
  • English: If you continue being so opinionated, this project will fail sooner or later.
  • Analysis: A direct warning in a professional context. It links the person's negative trait directly to a potential negative outcome.
• Example 9:
  • 他总是自以为是地认为自己比所有人都聪明。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì zìyǐwéishì de rènwéi zìjǐ bǐ suǒyǒu rén dōu cōngmíng.
  • English: He always smugly thinks that he is smarter than everyone else.
  • Analysis: The particle `地` (de) turns `自以为是` into an adverb describing how he thinks (rènwéi).
• Example 10:
  • 停止你那自以为是的说教吧，没人想听！
  • Pinyin: Tíngzhǐ nǐ nà zìyǐwéishì de shuōjiào ba, méi rén xiǎng tīng!
  • English: Stop your self-righteous preaching, nobody wants to hear it!
  • Analysis: A very strong and confrontational use of the term. It's used to shut someone down who is being preachy and condescending.

• The Biggest Mistake: Confusing `自以为是` with `自信` (zìxìn).
  • `自信 (zìxìn)` means “self-confident.” It is a positive trait based on real ability, knowledge, and self-worth.
  • `自以为是 (zìyǐwéishì)` means “self-righteous” or “smug.” It is a negative trait based on arrogance and a refusal to consider other viewpoints.
  • Example:
    • Correct: 他是一个很自信的工程师。(Tā shì yīgè hěn zìxìn de gōngchéngshī.) - He is a very confident engineer. (Compliment)
    • Incorrect but sounds similar: 他是一个很自以为是的工程师。(Tā shì yīgè hěn zìyǐwéishì de gōngchéngshī.) - He is a very smug/self-righteous engineer. (Insult)
• It's not for expressing your own opinion.
  • A learner might mistakenly think `自以为是` can be used like “I personally think it's right.” This is incorrect. It's a fixed idiom used to describe a personality trait.
  • Incorrect: 我自以为是这个方法最好。(Wǒ zìyǐwéishì zhège fāngfǎ zuì hǎo.)
  • Correct: 我认为这个方法最好。(Wǒ rènwéi zhège fāngfǎ zuì hǎo.) - I think/believe this method is the best.

• 自信 (zìxìn) - Self-confident. The most important antonym; a positive trait that `自以为是` is a negative corruption of.
• 谦虚 (qiānxū) - Humble, modest. The cultural ideal and a direct antonym to the attitude of `自以为是`.
• 固执 (gùzhí) - Stubborn, obstinate. A key component of being `自以为是`. A stubborn person refuses to change their mind, which is a hallmark of this idiom.
• 骄傲 (jiāo'ào) - Proud, arrogant. A broader term for arrogance. Someone who is `自以为是` is always `骄傲`, but not everyone who is `骄傲` is necessarily `自以为是` (they might be arrogant about their wealth, not their opinions).
• 夜郎自大 (yèlángzìdà) - A chengyu for parochial arrogance. It describes someone who is ignorant of the wider world and arrogantly thinks their own small domain is the greatest. It shares the theme of arrogance born from ignorance.
• 目中无人 (mùzhōngwúrén) - Literally “no people in one's eyes.” An idiom describing someone so arrogant they look down on everyone. This is a behavioral consequence of a `自以为是` mindset.
• 自作聪明 (zìzuòcōngmíng) - To consider oneself clever; to be a “smart aleck.” This describes acting clever and taking an action that ultimately backfires. It's related by the theme of misplaced self-confidence.