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March 24, 2026
谦虚(謙虛)qiānxū(qian1xu1)
谦虚 (qian1 xu1) refers to the quality of being modest or self-effacing, often in relation to one's abilities or achievements. It is commonly used in contexts where humility is valued, such as in personal interactions or discussions about accomplishments. The term conveys a sense of restraint and an acknowledgment of the contributions of others.
Frequency#8039DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 谦虚 is highly regarded and often expected in social interactions. This quality is emphasized in various traditional teachings, such as Confucianism, which promotes humility as a virtue.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quiet person standing on a pedestal, whispering their great achievements to the crowd below. The character 谦 (qian1) has the radical for 'words' (言) on the left, suggesting that humility is expressed through what we say, while 虚 (xu1) relates to emptiness, indicating a lack of pride or boasting.
Meanings of 谦虚
qiānxū(qian1xu1)
1modest
2self-effacing
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About 谦虚
谦虚Simplified
謙虛Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#8039Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 谦虚
Podcast: 谦虚
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AI Study Notes for 谦虚
Quick Contrast
谦逊 (qiānxùn) - use 谦虚 when emphasizing a general attitude of modesty, while 谦逊 often refers to specific acts of humility.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a quiet person standing on a pedestal, whispering their great achievements to the crowd below. The character 谦 (qian1) has the radical for 'words' (言) on the left, suggesting that humility is expressed through what we say, while 虚 (xu1) relates to emptiness, indicating a lack of pride or boasting.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 谦虚 with the more direct term for 'humble' (谦卑). While both convey humility, 谦虚 is more about modest behavior in social contexts. It's important to use 谦虚 in formal settings to express respect, while avoiding overuse in casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 5 word, 谦虚 connects with other terms related to character and personality, such as 自信 (zìxìn, confident) and 骄傲 (jiāo'ào, proud). Students should focus on how 谦虚 can be used to describe not only individuals but also cultures and societies that value humility.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 谦虚 is highly regarded and often expected in social interactions. This quality is emphasized in various traditional teachings, such as Confucianism, which promotes humility as a virtue.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 谦虚 when they want to express simple humility, leading to incorrect phrasing like '我很谦卑' (I am very humble), which sounds overly formal. Instead, they should say '我很谦虚' for a more natural expression.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谦虚
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Grammar Patterns of 谦虚
谦虚 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
"I'm a lucky man, undeservedly lucky," he said humbly.
4
那人虽穷, 却表现出天生的谦虚有礼.
nà rén suī qióng, , què biǎo xiàn chū tiān shēng de qiān xū yǒu.
The man, though poor, showed an inbred courtesy.
5
虽然贺龙性格急躁, 但是他很谦虚.
suī rán hè lóng xìng gé jí zào, , dàn shì tā hěn qiān.
Although he is impetuous, Ho Lung is very humble.
6
谦虚的人决不夸自己的功劳.
qiān xū de rén jué bù kuā zì jǐ de gōng láo.
A modest man will never boast of his merits.
Cultural Notes for 谦虚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 谦虚 is highly regarded and often expected in social interactions. This quality is emphasized in various traditional teachings, such as Confucianism, which promotes humility as a virtue.
Frequently Asked Questions about 谦虚
谦虚 (qian1 xu1) refers to being modest or self-effacing, while 谦卑 (qian1 bei1) emphasizes a deeper sense of humility or lowliness. 谦虚 is more common in social contexts.
While you can use it in casual settings, 谦虚 is more appropriate in formal situations where humility is particularly valued.
No, 谦虚 can also describe attitudes towards collective achievements and the general ethos of a community.
