(けんそん)

けんそん
noun
modesty, humility
1. modesty, humility, self-deprecation
The quality of being humble and not boasting about one's abilities or achievements.
彼女(かのじょ)謙遜(けんそん)(ひと)だ。
She is a modest person.
謙遜(けんそん)しないで、もっと自信(じしん)()って。
Don't be so modest, have more confidence.
それは謙遜(けんそん)ではなく、事実(じじつ)です。
That's not modesty, it's a fact.

USAGE: 謙遜(けんそん) is a virtue in Japanese culture, but excessive humility can sometimes be seen as insincere.

GRAMMAR: Can function as a noun or する verb (謙遜(けんそん)する).

CULTURAL NOTE: Japanese culture values modesty, and people often downplay their achievements or abilities. This is called 謙遜(けんそん).

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 謙虚(けんきょ) - humble, modest (quality of character)
  • (ひか)えめ - reserved, modest