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高傲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
高傲gāo’àoarrogantHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #11914, Very Hard
高傲gāo’àohaughtyHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #11914, Very Hard
高傲gāo’àoproudHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #11914, Very Hard
gāo’ào(gao1ao4) T1
  1. 1arrogant
  2. 2haughty
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

高傲gāo’ào(gao1ao4)

高傲 (gāo ào) describes a person who exhibits arrogance or haughtiness, often looking down on others. It is commonly used in contexts where someone's pride leads them to disregard humility or the feelings of others, reflecting a sense of superiority.

Strokes22Frequency#11914DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, and being labeled as 高傲 can be particularly damaging to one's reputation. This word reflects societal expectations around modesty and the importance of not appearing overly proud.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall mountain (高, gāo) that stands above all others, representing someone who feels superior. The '傲' (ào) part can be visualized as someone puffing out their chest in pride, making them appear even taller. Together, they create a vivid image of an arrogant person standing high above, looking down on everyone else.

Meanings of 高傲

gāo’ào(gao1ao4)
1arrogant
2haughty
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About 高傲

高傲Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 高傲

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Podcast: 高傲

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AI Study Notes for 高傲

Quick Contrast

傲慢 (àomàn) - use 高傲 (gāo'ào) when emphasizing a proud demeanor over a condescending attitude, while 傲慢 (àomàn) focuses more on the rudeness of that arrogance.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 高傲, as it carries a negative connotation and should be avoided in formal settings or when describing someone positively. Common collocations include '高傲的态度' (an arrogant attitude) or '高傲自大' (arrogantly conceited). Pay attention to the tones, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 高傲 is not an official HSK word, it connects well with other adjectives describing personality traits at the same level. Focus on recognizing the tones and the context in which this word is used, as it often appears in discussions of character.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 高傲 with 自信 (zìxìn), which means confident but carries a positive connotation. For example, saying '他很高傲' (tā hěn gāo ào) suggests he is arrogant, while '他很自信' (tā hěn zìxìn) means he is confident.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 高傲

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Component Characters

高gāohigh
HSK 210 strokes高
View full entry
傲àoproud
HSK 712 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say arrogant in Chinese

“arrogant” in Chinese is高傲gāo’ào

高傲 (gāo ào) describes a person who exhibits arrogance or haughtiness, often looking down on others. It is commonly used in contexts where someone's pride leads them to disregard humility or the feelings of others, reflecting a sense of superiority.

When to use 高傲

Be cautious when using 高傲, as it carries a negative connotation and should be avoided in formal settings or when describing someone positively. Common collocations include '高傲的态度' (an arrogant attitude) or '高傲自大' (arrogantly conceited). Pay attention to the tones, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

高傲 or something close to it

傲慢 (àomàn) - use 高傲 (gāo'ào) when emphasizing a proud demeanor over a condescending attitude, while 傲慢 (àomàn) focuses more on the rudeness of that arrogance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 高傲 with 自信 (zìxìn), which means confident but carries a positive connotation. For example, saying '他很高傲' (tā hěn gāo ào) suggests he is arrogant, while '他很自信' (tā hěn zìxìn) means he is confident.

Write 高傲

高
傲

Practice writing 高傲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 高傲

Yes, 高傲 generally has a negative connotation, implying a lack of humility.

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