炫耀

• Pinyin: xuàn yào
• Hanzi breakdown: 炫 = 火 + 玄 (fire + mysterious — dazzling light); 耀 = 羽 + 隹 + 光 (feathers + bird + light — brilliant radiance)

Meaning

To show off; to flaunt; to boast about. To display one's possessions, achievements, or abilities in a way that seeks admiration.

Carries a slightly negative connotation — implies the person is seeking envy or admiration rather than sharing genuinely. Often used to criticise ostentatious behaviour. Common in everyday speech and social commentary.

Examples

1. 他买了新跑车后四处炫耀，逢人便提起车价和性能，令周围朋友颇感厌烦。 After buying a new sports car, he showed it off everywhere, bringing up the price and performance to anyone he met, which really annoyed his friends.
2. 在社交媒体上不断晒出豪华旅游照片，被许多人认为是一种变相炫耀的行为。 Constantly posting photos of luxury vacations on social media is seen by many as a kind of disguised showing off.
3. 真正有实力的人往往低调内敛，从不炫耀自己的财富与成就。 People with real ability are often modest and reserved, never flaunting their wealth or achievements.

Usage Guide

Context: social media, daily life, interpersonal relations

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他总喜欢在同事面前炫耀自己的学历背景，殊不知这样的行为只会令人反感，适得其反。(He always likes to show off his academic credentials in front of colleagues, not realising that such behaviour only alienates people and is counterproductive.)
• 一个人真正的自信不需要靠炫耀来证明，过度展示往往是内心不安全感的体现。(A person's true confidence does not need to be proved by showing off; excessive display is often a manifestation of inner insecurity.)

Don't Say

• 他炫耀了他的技能给老师 — use 展示 or 展现 for a neutral or positive display of skill to a teacher; 炫耀 implies boastfulness and would suggest the student was being arrogant rather than demonstrating ability

Origin & History

炫 (dazzle/show off) + 耀 (shine/radiate) — both characters relate to brilliant light, extended to mean ostentatious display

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal