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HSK 7-9
yí怡pleasedrán然like thiszì自selfdé得content
Carefree and content; pleased with oneself.

Literal meaning

pleased (怡) — like this (然) — self (自) — content (得)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase describing a state of contentment and satisfaction.

Examples

tā他tuì退xiū休hòu后,měi每tiān天zài在huā花yuán园lǐ里zhǒng种zhǒng种huā花,yí怡rán然zì自dé得。
After he retired, he planted flowers in the garden every day, carefree and content.
zài在xiāng乡xià下shēng生huó活,tā他gǎn感dào到yí怡rán然zì自dé得。
He felt carefree and content living in the countryside.

Usage & nuances

Describes a peaceful and happy state of mind.

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