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.
Learn idioms by speaking them
Idioms are most useful when they land in a real conversation. Practice them out loud in Kango — get instant feedback on tone and timing.
Download Kango on iOS