养尊处优
yǎng zūn chǔ yōu
to live a pampered life of ease and privilege
Character by character
养yǎng
nurture
nurture
尊zūn
honour
honour
处chǔ
dwell in
dwell in
优yōu
comfort
comfort
Example
他养尊处优惯了，连自己的衣服都不会洗。
He is so used to being waited on that he cannot even wash his own clothes.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
处 is chǔ, “to live in”, not chù. Usually critical: it implies a person cut off from hard work and ordinary life, as in 养尊处优的官员. Often with 惯了 or 的: 过惯了养尊处优的日子.
Learn this in Lesson 175 · HSK 7–9: 马王堆 (The tombs of Mawangdui)
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.
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