| 自命清高 |
zì mìng qīng gāo |
to think of oneself as high and pure (idiom); smug and self-righteous / holier-than-thou |
| 自 |
zì |
(bound form) self; oneself / from; since / naturally; as a matter of course |
| 自命 |
zì mìng |
to consider oneself to be (sth positive) |
| 命 |
mìng |
life / fate / order or command / to assign a name, title etc |
| 清 |
Qīng |
Qing (Wade-Giles: Ch'ing) dynasty of China (1644-1911) / surname Qing |
| 清 |
qīng |
(of water etc) clear; clean / quiet; still / pure; uncorrupted / clear; distinct / to clear; to settle (accounts) |
| 清高 |
qīng gāo |
noble and virtuous / aloof from politics and material pursuits |
| 高 |
Gāo |
surname Gao |
| 高 |
gāo |
high / tall / above average / loud / your (honorific) |