Definition
贴金 is a separable verb (离合词) that literally means 'to apply gold leaf/foil' (gild). Its far more common figurative use is 'to put gold on one's own face' — meaning to brag about oneself or claim credit you don't deserve. When used literally or figuratively, the verb 贴 and object 金 can be separated: insert aspect markers (贴了金), complements (贴上金), measures (贴过两次金), or duration (贴了一天金). In the figurative sense you'll most often hear the fixed phrase 往自己脸上贴金 ('to put gold on one's own face').
v.o.
to gildto cover with gold leaf/foilto brag about oneselfto blow one's own trumpet
Examples
- 贴金。Gōngrénmen zhèngzài wèi zhè zuò dàmén tiē jīn.The workers are gilding this gate.
- 。Tā gěi zìjǐ de chéngjì tiē le bù shǎo jīn.He gilded his own achievements quite a bit.
- 贴金。Tā zǒngshì xǐhuan wǎng zìjǐ liǎn shàng tiē jīn.He always likes to brag about himself.
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