him1 bei1謙卑谦卑
Jyutpinghim1 bei1
Yalehīm bēi
Definition
Humble and modest; not showing off and putting oneself in a secondary position.
neutraldescriptionspeople
How it's used
Carries a slightly more formal or moral weight compared to the everyday term 謙虛. It often implies a sense of reverence or a deliberate choice to de-emphasize one's own status in relation to others or a higher power. While 謙虛 is commonly used to describe someone who is modest about their achievements, 謙卑 suggests a deeper character trait of being unpretentious and respectful in all interactions.
Examples
He is very humble and never looks down on others.
Do you think being humble is very important?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply shy or lacking confidence. It is a positive trait describing a conscious attitude of respect, not a lack of self-esteem.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
