Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unassuming, modest, humble: "khiêm" describes a personality or attitude characterized by a lack of arrogance, pretentiousness, or excessive pride. It implies a respectful and self-effacing manner.
   • Reserved, self-effacing: It can also indicate a tendency to downplay one's own abilities, achievements, or status.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy là người rất khiêm. (He is a very unassuming person.)
  • Cô ấy đã đạt được thành tích lớn nhưng vẫn giữ thái độ khiêm. (She achieved great success but still maintains a humble attitude.)
  • Lời phát biểu của ông ấy rất khiêm. (His speech was very modest.)

Advanced Usage

• "khiêm nhường": This is a common compound word meaning "humble" or "modest." It is more frequently used than "khiêm" alone in modern Vietnamese.
  • Sự khiêm nhường là một đức tính tốt. (Humility is a good virtue.)
• "khiêm tốn": Another common compound word, synonymous with "khiêm nhường," meaning "modest" or "unpretentious."
  • Anh ấy sống một cuộc sống khiêm tốn. (He lives a modest life.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khiêm nhường (adj): Humble, modest.
• Khiêm tốn (adj): Modest, unpretentious.
• Khiêm cung (adj, literary): Reverently humble; showing humility and respect (often in formal or historical contexts).

Synonyms

• Nhũn nhặn: Polite, unassuming.
• Nhún nhường: Yielding, deferential.
• Khiêm nhu (literary): Gentle and humble.

Notes on Usage

• In contemporary Vietnamese, "khiêm" is rarely used as a standalone adjective in everyday speech. It is primarily found in literary works, formal writing, or in fixed compound words like "khiêm nhường" and "khiêm tốn".
• When used alone, it often carries a slightly formal or classical tone. The compound forms are standard for expressing modesty.

1. Unassuming
   • Thái độ rất khiêm
     A very unassiming attiude