seon3遜逊

Jyutpingseon3

Yaleseun

語素Rare

Definition

Modest, humble, or yielding.

writtendescriptions

How it's used

Primarily encountered in formal or written contexts, this character is rarely used as a standalone verb in spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively found within the compound 謙遜 to describe a personality trait. While it implies modesty, it carries a sense of refinement and social grace that goes beyond simply being humble.

Examples

keoi5佢fan6份jan4人hou2好him1謙seon3遜，cung4從loi4來m4唔wui2會zi6自kwaa1誇。

He is a very modest person and never boasts.

zou6做jan4人him1謙seon3遜di1啲，daai6大gaa1家dou1都wui6會zung1鍾ji3意nei5你。

Be more modest in life and everyone will like you.

Common phrases

him1謙seon3遜jau5有lai5禮

modest and polite

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common adjective that can be used freely in speech. Using it in casual conversation can sound overly formal or even archaic, as native speakers would typically use 謙虛 or 冇咁囂張 instead.