敝 (bì) - shabby, worn-out, tattered & my (humble, self-deprecating prefix)

敝Tone 4

bì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

敝 · bì

shabby, worn-out, tattered;

my (humble, self-deprecating prefix);

to discard, cast aside;

exhausted, depleted

shabby, worn-out, tatteredmy (humble, self-deprecating prefix)to discard, cast aside

Usage highlights

shabby clotheshumble selfour humble schoolour humble countryworndiscard like worn

Synonyms

  • 破— broken, torn
  • 旧— old, used
  • 陋— humble, crude

Antonyms

  • 新— new
  • 华— magnificent, splendid
  • 贵— valuable, noble

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The clothes were old and shabby (敝衣).
  • He humbly referred to himself (敝人).
  • We must avoid the shortcomings of others (敝帚自珍).
  • This is our humble school (敝校).

Collocations

  • shabby clothes(敝衣)
  • humble self(敝人)
  • our humble school(敝校)
  • our humble country(敝国)
  • worn-out sandals(敝屣)
  • discard like worn-out shoes(弃如敝屣)

Idioms

  • Cherish one's own worn-out broom(敝帚自珍)
  • Discard like worn-out shoes(弃如敝屣)
  • Exhaust the people and drain the treasury(敝民敛财)
  • Worn-out carriage and tired horse(敝车羸马)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used as a humble prefix in classical Chinese to refer to oneself or one's belongings, showing modesty.
  • Often appears in classical literature to describe poverty, exhaustion, or things of little value.
  • The character structure shows cloth (巾) being torn or damaged, representing shabbiness.

FAQ