bạc đức
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking in virtue, having little virtue: A modest or self-deprecating term used to describe oneself as lacking in moral character or virtue, often to express humility or to politely decline something.
- Unworthy, undeserving: Used to indicate that one does not deserve a particular honor, fortune, or kindness due to perceived personal shortcomings.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tôi bạc đức, không dám nhận lời khen này. (I am unworthy; I dare not accept this praise.)
- Ông ấy khiêm tốn nói mình bạc đức, không xứng với chức vụ đó. (He humbly said he was undeserving and not fit for that position.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily used in formal, literary, or very polite contexts. It is a classical, self-effacing expression often found in older literature or used by elders to show extreme humility. It is not commonly used in everyday modern conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Bạc (adj): Can mean "thin" (like metal) or, in compound words, can imply "ungrateful" or "poor" (e.g., bạc tình: ungrateful in love; bạc phận: having a poor/unfortunate lot in life).
- Đức (n): Virtue, moral character. A key Confucian concept.
- Bạc đức bạc tài: A related four-character idiom meaning "lacking in both virtue and talent," used for strong self-deprecation.
Synonyms
- Kém đức độ: Lacking in virtue.
- Không xứng đáng: Not deserving, unworthy.
- Tự khiêm: Self-deprecating (a general term for the act, not a direct synonym).
Related Idioms
- Bạc đức vô tài: An idiom meaning "devoid of virtue and talent," an even stronger expression of humility or self-criticism.
- Lão phu bạc đức vô tài, thật hổ thẹn. (This old man is devoid of virtue and talent; I am truly ashamed.)