# How to say “show-off” in Chinese

> The mildest way to say “show-off” in Chinese is 臭美 (chòu měi), “vain (lit. smelly pretty)”. The strongest is 装什么装 (zhuāng shén me zhuāng), “who are you trying to fool?”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

Source: https://lanlanchinese.com/how-to-say/show-off-in-chinese (updated 2026-10-18)

1. **臭美** (chòu měi) (strength 1/5): vain (lit. smelly pretty). Teasing. For the mirror-selfie friend.
2. **显摆** (xiǎn bai) (strength 2/5): to show off. New phone on the table. Again.
   Heard in a real video: 你搁我这显摆啥？ "No, you're doing well, so why show off to me?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-lGfmuE_ns&t=336s)
3. **嘚瑟** (dè se) (strength 3/5): smug, cocky. Northern slang for 'look at me'.
4. **炫富** (xuàn fù) (strength 4/5): to flex your money. The rich-kid instagram move.
5. **装什么装** (zhuāng shén me zhuāng) (strength 5/5): who are you trying to fool?. Ends any flex on the spot.

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