Definition

Adjective (used primarily in the fixed expression "hểnh mũi"): - To be smug, to be puffed up with pride, to hold one's head high: Describes a state of visible, often arrogant, self-satisfaction or pride, typically shown through one's facial expression or posture, especially by flaring one's nostrils or tilting one's head back.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Được khen một câu là nó đã hểnh mũi lên ngay. (Just one word of praise and he immediately became puffed up with pride.)
  • Cô ấy hểnh mũi vì chiến thắng đó. (She was smug because of that victory.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "hểnh" is almost exclusively used in the idiomatic phrase "hểnh mũi". It is rarely, if ever, used as an independent adjective. The phrase vividly depicts the physical act of flaring one's nostrils or tilting one's nose upward as a sign of conceit.

Variants and Related Words

• Hểnh mặt (adj): A less common variant with a similar meaning, implying a proud or disdainful facial expression.
  • Thắng trận nhỏ, đừng có hểnh mặt. (Don't look so smug over a small victory.)

Synonyms

• Smug: Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself.
• Conceited: Excessively proud of oneself.
• Haughty: Arrogantly superior and disdainful.

Related Idioms

• Hểnh mũi lên: To bridle, to become smug. This is the standard and most common form of the idiom.
  • Nghe được khen, nó hểnh mũi lên. (Upon hearing the praise, he got all puffed up.)

1. (Hểnh mũi) Hold up one's head, bridle
   • Được nhiều người khen, hễnh mũi lên
     To bridle at the flow
   • hễnh mũi lên
     To bridle at the flow of praises coming down on one