contented

Compared meaning: feeling satisfied because things went well (adjective).

比较义项：因结果如愿或处境良好而感到满意、满足（形容词）。

• satisfied

  Neutral, general word for feeling pleased that a specific result met your expectations; usually names the reason or object, not a lasting mood.

  中性、通用的词，指因某个具体结果如愿而感到满意，通常会说明满意的具体原因或对象，而不是描述一种持久的情绪状态。

  He was satisfied with his exam score because it matched his expectations.

  他对自己的考试成绩感到满意，因为那正符合他的预期。

• complacent

  Negative: implies someone is so satisfied that they stop trying or ignore risks, often used as a warning, especially right after early success.

  含贬义，指因过于满意而停止努力或忽视风险，常用作警示，尤其是在早期取得成功之后就变得自满。

  Winning easily made the team complacent, and they lost the next match.

  轻松获胜让这支队伍变得自满，结果他们输掉了下一场比赛。

• smug

  Negative and visible: shows excessive self-satisfaction openly, often through a facial expression or tone, and comes across as annoying to others.

  含贬义且外露，公开表现出过度的自我满意，常通过表情或语气流露出来，让人觉得讨厌或惹人反感。

  She gave a smug grin when her rival dropped out of the race.

  看到对手退出比赛，她露出了一个自鸣得意的笑容。

• contented 本词

  Positive and calm: describes lasting, peaceful satisfaction with one's overall life or situation, not tied to a single achievement; often a quiet mood.

  褒义且平和，形容对整体生活或处境持久、平静的满足，不针对某一具体成就，常用来描述一种安宁的心境。

  After retiring, he lived a contented life in the quiet countryside.

  退休后，他在宁静的乡下过着心满意足的生活。

All four mean feeling satisfied. Satisfied is neutral, about a specific result. Complacent is negative: so satisfied that someone stops trying or ignores risks. Smug is negative and visible, openly showing excessive self-satisfaction. Contented is positive and calm, lasting satisfaction with one's whole life.

这四个词都表示因结果如愿或处境良好而产生的满足感，但语气和感情色彩不同：satisfied和contented为中性偏褒义，分别强调具体结果的满意和长期生活状态的满足；complacent和smug则带贬义，强调因满足而沾沾自喜、不思进取或洋洋得意。