賤 (jiàn) - Lowly, cheap, worthless, base & also used to express humility in self-reference.

賤Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

賤 · jiàn

Lowly, cheap, worthless, base;

also used to express humility in self-reference.

Lowly, cheap, worthless, basealso used to express humility in self-reference.

Usage highlights

Lowly and humbleCheap goodsLow priceHumble personMean and lowlySelf

Synonyms

  • 卑— low, inferior
  • 廉— cheap, inexpensive
  • 低— low

Antonyms

  • 贵— noble, expensive
  • 尊— honorable, respected
  • 高— high, elevated

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This item is very cheap (便宜).
  • He has a humble background (出身低贱).
  • Don't look down on others (不要贱视他人).
  • She spoke modestly about her achievements (自谦地说).

Collocations

  • Lowly and humble(卑贱)
  • Cheap goods(贱货)
  • Low price(贱价)
  • Humble person(贱人)
  • Mean and lowly(贱鄙)
  • Self-deprecating term(贱内)

Idioms

  • The noble and the base cannot coexist(贵贱不相逾)
  • Poverty leads to lowliness(贫贱不能移)
  • Rise from humble origins(贱而贵)
  • Know one's proper place(安贫乐贱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese society, '贱' reflected strict social hierarchies and class distinctions.
  • Used in self-deprecating expressions to show humility, especially in historical contexts.
  • The character carries strong negative connotations and is generally avoided in modern polite discourse.

FAQ