谦 (qiān) - Humble, modest — describes the quality of being

谦Tone 1

qiān ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

谦 · qiān

Humble, modest — describes the quality of being unassuming, not arrogant, showing deference to others.

Humble, modest — describes the quality of being

Usage highlights

Modest and prudentHumble and politeModest and amiableHumble and yieldingModest wordsHumble virtue

Synonyms

  • 虚— humble, empty (as in 虚心)
  • 逊— modest, yielding
  • 恭— respectful, reverent

Antonyms

  • 傲— arrogant, proud
  • 满— full, complacent
  • 骄— conceited, haughty

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is very humble (他很谦逊).
  • She spoke with modesty (她说话很谦和).
  • The scholar maintains a humble attitude (学者保持谦恭的态度).
  • We should be modest and prudent (我们应该谦虚谨慎).

Collocations

  • Modest and prudent(谦虚谨慎)
  • Humble and polite(谦恭有礼)
  • Modest and amiable(谦和)
  • Humble and yielding(谦让)
  • Modest words(谦辞)
  • Humble virtue(谦德)

Idioms

  • Modest to receive benefits, full to receive losses(谦受益，满招损)
  • Humble gentleman(谦谦君子)
  • Hold oneself modestly and respect the worthy(谦尊而光)
  • One who is modest and respectful will be honored(谦恭仁厚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Highly valued in Confucian ethics as one of the fundamental virtues of a junzi (gentleman).
  • Represents the ideal of putting others first and maintaining a low profile about one's own achievements.
  • Associated with the concept of the 'mean' or moderation in Chinese philosophy.

FAQ