Meaning
狂妄 describes someone who is excessively arrogant, presumptuous, or overconfident, often to the point of being unrealistic about their abilities or status. It carries a strong negative connotation and suggests someone who acts without proper humility or self-awareness.
Usage
This is a formal, somewhat literary term used to criticize or describe someone's excessive pride or ambition. It's commonly used in written Chinese, news commentary, or formal speech to characterize behavior or attitudes that are seen as unacceptably arrogant. Often appears in phrases like 狂妄自大 (kuángwàng zìdà, extremely arrogant).
Examples
- 01他的狂妄态度让所有同事都很反感。.His arrogant attitude disgusted all his colleagues.
- 02这个年轻人太狂妄了，根本不把别人放在眼里。, .This young person is too arrogant and doesn't respect anyone at all.
Characters
Common collocations
- 狂妄自大extremely arrogant and conceited
- 狂妄的态度arrogant attitude
- 狂妄无知arrogant and ignorant
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters carry negative connotations: 狂 originally referred to madness or wildness (the radical 犭 suggests animal-like behavior), while 妄 combines 亡 (lost, gone) with 女, suggesting behavior that has lost proper bounds or restraint.