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自以为是 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
自以为是zìyǐwéishìto believe oneself infallible (idiom)HSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #6829, Very Hard
自以为是zìyǐwéishìto be opinionatedHSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #6829, Very Hard
zìyǐwéishì(zi4yi3wei2shi4) T4
  1. 1to believe oneself infallible (idiom)
  2. 2to be opinionated
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March 24, 2026

自以为是(自以為是)zìyǐwéishì(zi4yi3wei2shi4)

自以为是 is an idiom that means to believe oneself to be infallible or to be overly opinionated. It is often used to describe someone who is stubbornly convinced of their own correctness, ignoring alternative viewpoints or advice. This expression carries a negative connotation, suggesting arrogance or a lack of self-awareness.

Strokes23Frequency#6829DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, and being self-righteous or overly confident can lead to social disapproval. This idiom reflects the cultural expectation of being open to others' opinions and the importance of collective harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing on a pedestal, believing they are the only one with the right answers. The character 自 (zì) represents 'self', 以 (yǐ) means 'to use', 为 (wéi) means 'to consider', and 是 (shì) means 'to be'. Picture them declaring, 'I am the only one who is right!' – this image helps connect the meaning with the characters.

Meanings of 自以为是

zìyǐwéishì(zi4yi3wei2shi4)
1to believe oneself infallible (idiom)
2to be opinionated
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About 自以为是

自以为是Simplified
自以為是Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 自以为是

Quick Contrast

自以为聪明 (zìyǐwéicōngmíng) - use 自以为是 when emphasizing stubbornness in one's beliefs, while 自以为聪明 focuses on a false sense of intelligence.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse this idiom with more neutral expressions for self-confidence. It is typically used in informal contexts, often in a critical light. Be careful with the tones; saying it with the wrong intonation can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 自以为是 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to HSK level 5-6 words like 自信 (zìxìn, self-confidence) or 认为 (rènwéi, to think). Focus on recognizing the negative implications of the idiom and practice using it in sentences to describe people with strong opinions.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use this idiom to describe someone who is simply confident, rather than opinionated. For example, saying '她是自以为是,因为她有自信。' (She is opinionated because she is confident.) is incorrect; instead, it should be used to describe someone who disregards others' opinions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 自以为是

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Idiom Spotlight: 自以为是

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:self regard is

Component Characters

自zìfrom
HSK 46 strokes自
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以yǐto use
HSK 54 strokes人
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为wèibecause of
HSK 34 strokes丶
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是shìis
HSK 19 strokes日
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How to say to believe oneself infallible (idiom) in Chinese

“to believe oneself infallible (idiom)” in Chinese is自以为是zìyǐwéishì

自以为是 is an idiom that means to believe oneself to be infallible or to be overly opinionated. It is often used to describe someone who is stubbornly convinced of their own correctness, ignoring alternative viewpoints or advice. This expression carries a negative connotation, suggesting arrogance or a lack of self-awareness.

When to use 自以为是

Learners often confuse this idiom with more neutral expressions for self-confidence. It is typically used in informal contexts, often in a critical light. Be careful with the tones; saying it with the wrong intonation can lead to misunderstandings.

自以为是 or something close to it

自以为聪明 (zìyǐwéicōngmíng) - use 自以为是 when emphasizing stubbornness in one's beliefs, while 自以为聪明 focuses on a false sense of intelligence.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use this idiom to describe someone who is simply confident, rather than opinionated. For example, saying '她是自以为是,因为她有自信。' (She is opinionated because she is confident.) is incorrect; instead, it should be used to describe someone who disregards others' opinions.

Write 自以为是

自
以
为
是

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 自以为是

You can say: '他总是自以为是,从不听别人的建议。' (He is always opinionated and never listens to others' advice.)

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