Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pleased, satisfied, smug: A state of being very content or self-satisfied because one's desires, plans, or expectations have been fulfilled. It often carries a connotation of smugness or visible pride in one's success or good fortune.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy trông rất đắc ý sau khi chiến thắng. (He looked very pleased/smug after the victory.)
  • Cô ấy đắc ý khoe chiếc nhẫn mới. (She smugly showed off her new ring.)
  • Nhà văn đắc ý với những lời khen ngợi. (The writer was very satisfied with the praise.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm ra vẻ đắc ý": to put on a smug or self-satisfied air.

  • Anh ta làm ra vẻ đắc ý dù biết mình may mắn. (He put on a smug air even though he knew he was just lucky.)

• "Nụ cười đắc ý": a smug, self-satisfied smile.

  • Cậu bé bật lên nụ cười đắc ý khi giải được bài toán. (The boy broke into a smug smile when he solved the math problem.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đắc chí (adj): Similar to "đắc ý," meaning pleased or satisfied, often with one's own achievement or situation. The nuance can be slightly stronger regarding personal ambition or will.

  • Ông ấy đắc chí vì mọi việc đều theo ý mình. (He was highly satisfied because everything went his way.)

• Tự đắc (adj): Conceited, self-complacent. This word focuses more on the negative trait of being overly pleased with oneself.

  • Thái độ tự đắc của anh ta khiến mọi người khó chịu. (His conceited attitude annoyed everyone.)

Synonyms

• Hài lòng: satisfied, content (neutral or positive, less smug than "đắc ý").
• Mãn nguyện: fulfilled, gratified (often deeper, more about fulfillment than momentary pride).
• Khoái chí: delighted, gleeful (emphasizes joy and pleasure).

Antonyms

• Thất vọng: disappointed.
• Bực mình: annoyed, irritated.
• Chán nản: discouraged, disheartened.

Related Idioms

• "Đắc ý vênh váo": to be smug and arrogant/swaggering.

  • Đừng đắc ý vênh váo chỉ vì một thành công nhỏ. (Don't get smug and swagger just because of a small success.)

• "Được voi đòi tiên" (Idiom meaning "given an inch, asking for a mile"): While not a direct synonym, this idiom describes greedy behavior that could follow a state of being "đắc ý" with an initial gain.

  • Anh ta đắc ý với món quà nhỏ rồi được voi đòi tiên. (He was pleased with the small gift and then asked for the moon.)

1. Have one's wish fulfilled, be fully satisfied
   • Nhà thơ rất đắc ý vì tác phẩm của mình được quần chúng yêu chuộng
     The poet had his wish fulfilled, with his works having become popular with the masses