Translation guide
Describes something of low status, rank, or humble position. Can refer to people, jobs, or attitudes. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, nouns, and set phrases, often with nuances of humility or social inferiority.
Describing a person, position, or job that is not prestigious or is at the bottom of a hierarchy.
Expressing one's own lowly status humbly, often in formal or polite contexts.
Literally 'social standing is low'. Used to describe oneself humbly.
私のような身分が低い者には不相応です。
It is too good for a lowly person like me.
Referring to menial work or a humble occupation.
低い (hikui) is a neutral, general term for 'low' in status, rank, or level. 卑しい (iyashii) carries a strong negative connotation of being base, vulgar, or contemptible. Use 低い for objective descriptions; reserve 卑しい for moral judgments or literary effect.
English 'lowly' can be an adverb (e.g., 'bow lowly'), but Japanese does not use the same adjective as an adverb. Instead, use phrases like 低く (hikuku) for physical lowness, or 謙虚に (kenkyo ni) for humble behavior.
General adjective for 'low' in status, rank, or level. Commonly used with words like 地位 (status) or 身分 (social standing).
彼は会社で低い地位にいる。
He holds a lowly position in the company.
Means 'lowly' in a negative sense: base, vulgar, or mean. Can describe character or birth. Stronger and more judgmental than 低い.
卑しい身分に生まれた。
He was born into a lowly station.
Literary term for low birth or humble origins. Rare in modern conversation.
下賤の出であることを恥じていない。
He is not ashamed of his lowly origins.
A set phrase meaning 'lowly status', often used in historical or formal self-reference.
卑しい身分の私が申し上げるのも恐れ多いですが。
It is presumptuous of a lowly person like me to say this, but...
Means 'trivial' or 'insignificant'. Often used to downplay one's job or task.
つまらない仕事ですが、頑張ります。
It's a lowly job, but I'll do my best.
Specifically means 'menial work' or 'subordinate tasks'. Often used for low-ranking assistants.
彼は下働きから身を起こした。
He rose from a lowly job.