Meaning and Usage
"炫耀" means to show off or flaunt something, often with the intention of impressing others. It usually carries a slightly negative connotation, implying excessive pride or arrogance.
Common Contexts
People use "炫耀" when talking about someone who likes to display their possessions, achievements, or talents in a way that might annoy others. It often appears in social contexts where humility is valued.
Collocations and Patterns
- "炫耀自己的..." (show off one's...) — commonly used to specify what is being flaunted.
- "喜欢炫耀" (like to show off) — describes habitual behavior.
- "不要炫耀" (don’t show off) — a common admonition.
Nuances
Using "炫耀" implies that the speaker disapproves of the behavior as boastful or ostentatious. It differs from neutral verbs like "展示" (to display) because of this negative tone.
Common Confusion
"炫耀" should not be confused with "显摆" which is a synonym but can be more colloquial and sometimes harsher in tone. "炫耀" is more standard and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese.