谦虚

• Pinyin: qiān xū
• Hanzi breakdown: 谦 = 讠(speech) + 兼 (combine) — humble speech; 虚 = 虍 (tiger) + 丘 (hill) — empty, humble

Meaning

Modest; humble. Describes a person who doesn't boast about their abilities or achievements.

A highly valued virtue in Chinese culture. Used both as an adjective to describe humble people and as a verb meaning to be modest. Chinese communication often involves expressing 谦虚 when receiving compliments, deflecting praise with phrases like '哪里哪里' or '过奖了.'

Examples

1. 他虽然取得了很大的成就，但一直都很谦虚。 Although he has achieved great success, he has always remained modest.
2. 你不用这么谦虚，你的能力大家都看得到。 You don't need to be so modest — everyone can see your abilities.
3. 谦虚使人进步，骄傲使人落后。 Modesty leads to progress; pride leads to falling behind.

Usage Guide

Context: compliments, character, values

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 他是个谦虚的人。(He is a modest person.)
• 你太谦虚了！(You're being too modest!)

Don't Say

• 不要把'谦虚'理解为缺乏自信 (Don't interpret 谦虚 as lacking confidence — it's about not boasting, not about doubting oneself)

Origin & History

Compound of 谦 (modest, self-deprecating) and 虚 (empty, humble). Together they suggest emptying oneself of pride.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal