逞能

• Pinyin: chěng néng
• Hanzi breakdown: 逞 = 辶 (movement) + 呈 (present) = to flaunt; 能 = ability

Meaning

To show off one's abilities; to flaunt one's skills. Often implies recklessness or excessive confidence.

Usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting someone is showing off beyond their actual abilities or taking unnecessary risks to appear capable. Often used in warnings.

Examples

1. 山路危险，你就别逞能了，让有经验的人来开车。 The mountain road is dangerous; stop showing off and let someone with experience drive.
2. 他喜欢在女生面前逞能，结果摔了个大跤。 He likes to show off in front of girls, and ended up taking a hard fall.
3. 年轻人总爱逞能，不知道天高地厚。 Young people always like to show off, not knowing their own limits.

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, criticism, everyday

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 别逞能了，你又不会游泳。(Stop showing off; you can't even swim.)
• 他在工地上逞能，差点出事故。(He showed off at the construction site and almost had an accident.)

Don't Say

• 医生逞能救了病人 (逞能 implies recklessness; for genuinely skilled work, use 发挥能力 or 展示才能)

Origin & History

Compound of 逞 (to show off/flaunt) and 能 (ability). Describes the act of displaying abilities, often inappropriately.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal