謙虚|けんきょkenkyo[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounmodest; humble
Conjugation
| Plain form | 謙虚（けんきょ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 謙虚です（けんきょです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 謙虚ではない（けんきょではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 謙虚ではありません（けんきょではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 謙虚だった（けんきょだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 謙虚ではなかった（けんきょではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 謙虚で（けんきょで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 謙虚に（けんきょに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 謙虚なら（けんきょなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym控えめひかえめNeutralRestrained and low-key in behavior; unlike 「謙虚」, which is about the attitude of humbly accepting others' views, 「控えめ」 describes how one acts.
- Antonym傲慢ごうまんNeutralArrogant and disrespectful toward others; the direct opposite of 「謙虚」.
- Antonym高慢こうまんNeutralHaughty and conceited, thinking oneself superior; the opposite of 「謙虚」.
- Antonym尊大そんだいWrittenOverweening and swaggering; a written, formal word standing opposite 「謙虚」.
Use 「謙虚」 for a humble, open-minded attitude, as in 「謙虚に学ぶ」. For restrained, low-key behavior choose 「控えめ」. For arrogance use 「傲慢」 or 「高慢」; 「尊大」 is the written, formal antonym.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
