Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Humble, lowly: Describes a person, position, or quality that is modest, of low status, or considered insignificant. It often conveys a sense of being unworthy or of little importance.
   • Petty, mean: Can describe an action or motive that is base, contemptible, or lacking in nobility.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Xuất thân của ông ấy khá hèn mọn. (His origins were quite humble/lowly.)
  • Tôi chỉ có chút sức lực hèn mọn để góp phần. (I only have my humble/meager strength to contribute.)
  • Động cơ hèn mọn đó không bao giờ được tha thứ. (That base/mean motive should never be forgiven.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or literary contexts to express extreme modesty about one's own abilities or contributions, often in speeches or writing.
  • Đó chỉ là ý kiến hèn mọn của cá nhân tôi. (That is merely my own humble opinion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hèn (adj): Lowly, base, cowardly. A root word often implying inferiority or cowardice.
• Mọn (adj): Small, petty, insignificant. Often used in compound words to emphasize smallness or insignificance.
• Thấp hèn (adj): Low and base, ignoble. Emphasizes low social or moral standing.
• Nhỏ mọn (adj): Petty, small-minded. Focuses on lack of generosity or breadth.

Synonyms

• Humble: Having a modest view of one's importance.
• Lowly: Of low status or rank.
• Base: Lacking moral principles; contemptible.
• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
• Petty: Of little importance; trivial (often regarding character).

Related Idioms

• Hèn mọn tầm thường: Humble and ordinary. Emphasizes a complete lack of distinction.
  • Anh ta tự nhận mình chỉ là kẻ hèn mọn tầm thường. (He considers himself just a humble and ordinary person.)
• Con người hèn mọn: A base/contemptible person. Used as a strong criticism of someone's character.
  • Hắn là một con người hèn mọn, chỉ biết nghĩ cho bản thân. (He is a base person, only thinking of himself.)

adj

1. humble, low