谫 (jiǎn) - Shallow & superficial

谫Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

谫 · jiǎn

Shallow;

superficial;

meager;

limited in knowledge or depth.

Shallowsuperficialmeager

Usage highlights

Shallow and meagerSuperficial opinionLimited knowledgeMeager learningShallow talentSuperficial plan

Synonyms

  • 浅— shallow; superficial
  • 陋— crude; meager; shallow
  • 薄— thin; meager; slight

Antonyms

  • 深— deep; profound
  • 博— broad; extensive; erudite
  • 渊— abyssal; profound

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • His knowledge of the subject is quite shallow (学识谫陋).
  • She offered only superficial insights (谫见).
  • The analysis was rather meager (谫识).
  • He has limited learning (谫学).

Collocations

  • Shallow and meager(谫陋)
  • Superficial opinion(谫见)
  • Limited knowledge(谫识)
  • Meager learning(谫学)
  • Shallow talent(谫才)
  • Superficial plan(谫谋)

Idioms

  • Shallow knowledge and limited experience(谫识寡闻)
  • Meager talent and shallow learning(才谫学浅)
  • Superficial opinion and shallow plan(谫见谫谋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese to modestly describe one's own limited abilities or knowledge.
  • Commonly appears in self-deprecating expressions in traditional scholarly contexts.
  • Reflects the Confucian value of humility in intellectual matters.

FAQ