誇る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 誇る, read ほこる, is a godan transitive verb that marks what is boasted of or taken pride in with を.
• Basic usage: It can positively present a valued feature or negatively describe someone repeatedly boasting about personal success.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Positive and negative tone
  • 長い歴史を誇る presents a valued feature, whereas 成功を誇ってばかりいる criticizes continual boasting.
• Object marked by を
  • The port town boasts 長い歴史; the person boasts 自分の成功. Keep the subject separate from the object of pride.