不敢当

• Pinyin: bù gǎn dāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 敢 (dare) + 当 (accept, deserve)

Meaning

You flatter me; I don't deserve it. A humble response to praise or honor.

Used as a polite deflection when receiving compliments or being shown respect. Reflects traditional Chinese modesty culture. Often said when someone praises your work or treats you with excessive courtesy.

Examples

1. 您太客气了，我不敢当，这只是我应该做的。 You're too kind, I don't deserve it — this is just what I should do.
2. 领导夸我做得好，我连忙说不敢当。 When the leader praised my work, I hurriedly said I didn't deserve such honor.
3. 他称赞我是专家，我笑着说不敢当，还有很多要学的。 He called me an expert, and I smiled and said I don't deserve the title — there's still so much to learn.

Usage Guide

Context: social etiquette, workplace, formal occasions

Tone: humble

Do Say

• 不敢当不敢当，您过奖了。(You flatter me, you're too kind.)
• 哪里哪里，不敢当。(Not at all, I don't deserve such praise.)

Don't Say

• 对朋友随意的夸奖说'不敢当'显得过于正式 (Using 不敢当 for casual compliments from friends sounds overly formal — just say 谢谢 or 哪里哪里)

Origin & History

Classical Chinese expression: 不 (not) + 敢 (dare) + 当 (accept/deserve), meaning 'I dare not accept such honor.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal