modesty

(say) + (double-duty) Same-ON
★★☆☆☆
17 strokes
BETA

Onyomi

KEN

Mnemonic

Modest things you say do double-duty: they make you look humble but they also cause people to respect you more for being so modest.

Jukugo

謙譲語(けんじょうご)

humble formal japanese ★★★☆☆ CCWF
(modesty) + (concessions) + (language) = 謙譲語 (humble formal japanese)

Along with Sonkeigo, Kenjougo is half of Japanese formal speech: When talking to your superiors, you use kenjougo to refer to your own humble actions.

謙虚(けんきょ)

modest ★★☆☆☆
(modesty) + (empty) = 謙虚 (modest)

modest - this is a word you use about others. "She's got a very modest attitude."

謙遜(けんそん)

other modesty ★★☆☆☆

To downplay your own skills in front of others. You don't ever say "I 謙遜-ed." or "He 謙遜-ed." or "She's really 謙遜-ish."

Normally it's only used like : "Please don't 謙遜. We both know you're rad," or "He declined the offer out of modesty."

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
eww!! GIRL
modesty TALK
young lady KICK IN THE NUTS

You say eww because GIRLS are gross.

But you are modest when you TALK to them,

because young ladies will KICK YOU IN THE NUTS.

Synonyms

modest
謙虚    謙遜