na-adjective, noun
Describes a person's social standing, occupation, or circumstances as lowly or humble. Often used in historical or literary contexts; in modern speech it can sound old-fashioned or formal.
彼は卑賤な身分から身を起こした。
He rose from a lowly station in life.
卑賤な仕事を軽蔑してはいけない。
You must not look down on humble work.
Compound of 卑 (lowly, base) and 賤 (humble, lowly). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in classical and literary Japanese to describe low social status.