虚荣 (xū róng) literally combines 虚 (xū), meaning 'empty', 'false', or 'insubstantial', and 荣 (róng), meaning 'glory', 'honor', or 'prestige'. Together, they describe an excessive desire for admiration, status, or outward approval — a shallow or unfounded sense of pride that depends on others’ perception rather than genuine achievement or inner worth. It carries a distinctly negative connotation in Chinese, often implying insecurity, pretense, or self-deception.

This word is commonly used to critique behavior driven by appearances: buying luxury goods to impress others, exaggerating accomplishments, or avoiding honest self-reflection. Unlike neutral terms like 自尊 (zìzūn, 'self-respect'), 虚荣 implies moral or psychological weakness and is frequently discussed in contexts of personal growth, education, and social criticism. It appears in essays, moral stories, and everyday commentary about modern consumer culture and social media behavior.