謙けん虚きょ

け

ん

きょ

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

Describes a person's attitude of not being arrogant, being open to others' opinions, and not overestimating oneself. Often used positively.

彼かれは成せい功こうしても謙けん虚きょな態たい度どを忘わすれない。
Even when he succeeds, he never forgets his humble attitude.
謙けん

虚きょ

に

人ひと

の

意い

見けん

を

聞き

く

こと

が

大たい

切せつ

だ

。

It is important to listen to others' opinions with humility.

控ひかえめ
控えめ emphasizes restraint in behavior or expression, while 謙虚 focuses on a modest mindset and lack of arrogance.
謙けん遜そん
謙遜 is often used for downplaying one's own achievements in speech, whereas 謙虚 describes a broader humble character.

From the kanji 謙 (modesty) and 虚 (emptiness, void), suggesting a mind free of arrogance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.