炫耀
xuànyào
To show off in Chinese is 炫耀 (xuànyào).
The phrase 炫耀 is used to describe the act of ostentatiously displaying one's wealth, possessions or abilities to gain attention.
Which one should you use?
While 炫耀 implies a negative connotation of boasting or being conceited, the neutral term 展示 means to display or exhibit something, such as an art gallery or a skill, for others to see.
How does it change in a sentence?
炫耀 is a verb and can be followed directly by an object, such as 炫耀财富 (to show off wealth).
How do you pronounce it?
xuànyào
Did you know?
- In certain internet slang contexts, people use the term 凡尔赛 (fán'ěrsài), which is the phonetic transcription of 'Versailles'. It refers to a specific style of 'humblebragging' where one complains about a luxury to show off.
- When someone is showing off their status or power, they might be described as 摆谱 (bǎipǔ). This literally translates to 'laying out a score' or 'setting the pattern', referring to a musical score.
- The character 炫 (xuàn) originally referred to the way light glitters or reflects off a surface. Over time, the meaning shifted from the natural behavior of light to the human behavior of 'shining' too brightly to attract attention.
Examples in context
- 他老是卖弄自己的高科技手机。He always shows off his high-tech phone.
- 他总是喜欢炫耀他的新车。Tā zǒng shì xǐhuān xuànyào tā de xīn chē.He always likes to show off his new car.
- 别在这里炫耀你的财力。Bié zài zhèlǐ xuànyào nǐ de cáilì.Don't show off your wealth here.
- 她并不想炫耀自己的成绩。Tā bìng bù xiǎng xuànyào zìjǐ de chéngjì.She doesn't want to show off her grades.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new luxury watch.
- 志强 Zhiqiang快看我的新手表！kuài kàn wǒ de xīn shǒu biǎo！Quick, look at my new watch!
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你又在炫耀了。zhì qiáng, nǐ yòu zài xuàn yào le。Zhiqiang, you are showing off again.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这只表真的很漂亮。zhè zhī biǎo zhēn de hěn piào liang。This watch is really beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting我知道，但这样太夸张了。wǒ zhī dào, dàn zhè yàng tài kuā zhāng le。I know, but this is too much.
