Translation guide
Describes a person or behavior that is modest, humble, and avoids drawing attention to oneself. In Japanese, this concept is deeply tied to cultural values of humility and group harmony.
Describing a person who downplays their own importance or achievements.
A standard adjective/noun meaning 'humble' or 'modest'. Often used positively to describe someone who doesn't boast.
彼はとても謙虚な人だ。
He is a very self-effacing person.
Literally 'restrained', this word describes someone who is modest, reserved, and doesn't push themselves forward.
彼女は控えめで、自分の功績をあまり話さない。
She is self-effacing and doesn't talk much about her achievements.
Describes a refined, modest elegance, often associated with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Implies depth and grace.
彼女の奥ゆかしい態度に感心した。
I was impressed by her self-effacing demeanor.
Expressing that someone makes light of their own skills or successes.
Literally 'to belittle oneself'. This phrase is commonly used when someone is self-deprecating or overly modest.
彼はいつも自分を卑下して、才能がないと言う。
He is always self-effacing, saying he has no talent.
To show modesty by downplaying one's own merits. Often used in formal situations.
彼は自分の成功を謙遜して話した。
He spoke self-effacingly about his success.
Making jokes or comments that put oneself down in a light-hearted way.
Refers to self-deprecating humor or material used in comedy. Very common in casual conversation.
彼の自虐ネタはいつも笑いを取る。
His self-effacing jokes always get a laugh.
To use oneself as material for jokes. Implies a self-effacing sense of humor.
彼女はよく自分をネタにして話す。
She often makes self-effacing remarks.
Describing behavior that shuns recognition or praise.
To try not to stand out. A common way to describe self-effacing behavior in social settings.
彼はいつも目立たないようにしている。
He always tries to be self-effacing.
To not push oneself forward; to be unobtrusive. Often used to describe a self-effacing personality.
彼女は出しゃばらない性格だ。
She has a self-effacing personality.
In Japanese culture, self-effacing behavior is often expected and seen as a virtue. However, excessive self-deprecation can sometimes be perceived as false modesty or fishing for compliments. Use 謙遜 (kenson) carefully in formal settings.
謙虚 (kenkyo) emphasizes an inner attitude of humility, while 控えめ (hikaeme) focuses on outward reserved behavior. A person can be 控えめ without necessarily being 謙虚, and vice versa.