以…自居
to regard oneself as; to style oneself (usually wrongly)
Structure
主语 以 身份／称号 自居
What it means
“To regard oneself as; to style oneself”: 自居 is “to place oneself in a role”. It is almost always critical: the speaker thinks the claim is too big or not earned.
How it is built
Subject + 以 + role／title + 自居: 他总以专家自居，别人的意见一概不听 (he always sets himself up as the expert and won't hear anyone else's view).
When to use it
Written style; in speech say 把自己当成… or 自以为是…. One of the written 以 frames: 以…为… (1-2), 以…著称 (3-14), 以…见长 (4-17).
Watch out
Not a compliment. 以…著称 reports what others know you for; 以…为荣 means to be proud of. ✗ 他以诚实自居 (meant as praise) ✓ 他以诚实著称.
Examples
清朝向来以“天朝上国”自居。
The Qing had always regarded itself as the Celestial Empire.
他总以专家自居，别人的意见一概不听。
He always sets himself up as the expert and won’t hear anyone else’s view.
这家公司一直以行业老大自居，结果被新对手赶上了。
This company always saw itself as top dog in the industry, and then a newcomer caught up with it.
Learn this in Lesson 99 · HSK 6–7: 康乾盛世 (The High Qing of Kangxi and Qianlong)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →