優越感(ゆうえつかん)

優越感(ゆうえつかん) is the feeling of being superior to others. Depending on context, it can read as healthy self-confidence or as unhealthy arrogance, though the negative reading is common when describing someone else's attitude.

Forms

優越(ゆうえつ) (superiority) + 感(かん) (feeling).

Common patterns

• 優越感(ゆうえつかん)を感(かん)じる: to feel a sense of superiority
• 優越感(ゆうえつかん)に浸(ひた)る: to bask in superiority
• 優越感(ゆうえつかん)を持(も)つ: to have a superiority complex
• 優越感(ゆうえつかん)を抱(いだ)く: to harbor a sense of superiority

Similar words

Opposite of 劣等感(れっとうかん) (inferiority complex). Both words are commonly used in psychological and everyday contexts.

Register

Used in both formal discussion and casual speech. Often appears in self-reflection or when describing someone's attitude critically.