卑いやしむべき

Meanings

Literary and somewhat formal expression meaning 'worthy of contempt' or 'despicable'. Used to describe actions, attitudes, or people that are morally repugnant.

彼かれの卑いやしむべき行こう為いは許ゆるされない。
His despicable conduct is unforgivable.
それは卑いやしむべき考かんがえ方かただ。
That is a contemptible way of thinking.

Kanji

卑lowly, base, vile
賤despise, low-life, poverty

Related words

卑いやしい
An adjective meaning 'lowly', 'vulgar', or 'greedy'. 卑しむべき is a more formal, literary expression derived from the verb 卑しむ (to despise) and means 'despicable' or 'contemptible'.
軽けい蔑べつすべき
Also means 'contemptible', but 軽蔑すべき is more common in modern speech and writing. 卑しむべき carries a stronger literary or classical tone.

Written forms

卑いやしむべき
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
賤いやしむべき
Rare variant using 賤; not commonly encountered.

Etymology

From the verb 卑しむ (to despise, to look down on) + the classical auxiliary べき (indicating obligation or worthiness). The verb 卑しむ itself derives from the adjective 卑しい (lowly, base).