secretly rejoice; smug pleasure; hidden delight
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to rejoice secretly; to feel smug satisfaction hidden from others
literaryOften implies a selfish or schadenfreude-like satisfaction that is concealed from public view. Typically used in written or formal contexts.
Tā他
xīn心
zhōng中
qiè窃
xǐ喜
，
dàn但
biǎo表
miàn面
shàng上
bù不
dòng动
shēng声
sè色
。
He was secretly delighted, but showed no emotion on the surface.
Kàn看
dào到
duì对
shǒu手
shī失
wù误
，
tā他
bù不
jīn禁
àn暗
zì自
qiè窃
xǐ喜
。
Seeing his opponent make a mistake, he couldn't help secretly rejoicing.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Dé得
zhī知
xiāo消
xi息
，
tā她
xīn心
lǐ里
yī一
zhèn阵
qiè窃
xǐ喜
。
Upon hearing the news, she felt a secret thrill of joy.