高慢

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 高慢 combines characters conveying elevation and conceit; it is read こうまん and behaves as a noun or na-adjective.
• Basic usage: It negatively evaluates an attitude or character that places oneself above others.
  • 高慢な態度では周囲の信頼を失う。 uses the な form to modify 態度, while 王子は自分の高慢さを反省した。 adds さ to turn the quality into a noun.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 高慢な and 高慢さ
  • Use 高慢な態度 to modify a noun and 高慢さ when treating haughtiness itself as the object of reflection.
• Strong negative judgment
  • 高慢 does not merely mean having confidence; it criticizes an attitude of elevating oneself over people nearby.
• 高慢 and 自信
  • 自信(じしん) is belief in one's ability and can be positive. 高慢 negatively focuses on that self-regard appearing as superiority toward others.