khiêm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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.
- Unassuming
- Thái độ rất khiêmA very unassiming attiude