谦语

謙語

qiānyǔ

noun

Meanings

1 humble expression
2 self-deprecating term

Characters

Examples

HSK 3

“在下”是古代常用的谦语。

" Zàixià " shì gǔdài chángyòng de qiānyǔ.

'Zaixia' is a humble expression commonly used in ancient times.

HSK 7-9

中文里有很多谦语和敬语。

Zhōngwén lǐ yǒu hěnduō qiānyǔ hé jìngyǔ.

Chinese has many humble and honorific expressions.

Tips

culture

Paired concept with 敬语 (honorific expressions). Classical examples: 鄙人 (this lowly one), 拙作 (my clumsy work), 寒舍 (my humble home). Using these correctly signals classical literacy in formal writing.

memory

谦 (modest/humble) + 语 (words) - literally 'humble words.'

Stroke Order

谦 qiān

语 yǔ