謙遜|けんそんkenson[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, na-adjectivemodesty; humility; being humble
    彼かれの謙遜けんそんさは賞賛しょうさんに値あたいする。↗
    His modesty is worth respecting.
Conjugation
Dictionary form謙遜する(けんそんする)
Polite (masu)謙遜します(けんそんします)
Negative (nai)謙遜しない(けんそんしない)
polite (masen)謙遜しません(けんそんしません)
classical zu / nu謙遜せず・謙遜せぬ(けんそんせず・けんそんせぬ)
Past (ta)謙遜した(けんそんした)
polite (mashita)謙遜しました(けんそんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)謙遜しなかった(けんそんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)謙遜しませんでした(けんそんしませんでした)
Te form謙遜して(けんそんして)
Potential謙遜できる(けんそんできる)
Passive謙遜される(けんそんされる)
Causative謙遜させる(けんそんさせる)
Causative passive謙遜させられる(けんそんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)謙遜すれば(けんそんすれば)
tara謙遜したら(けんそんしたら)
Volitional謙遜しよう(けんそんしよう)
polite (mashou)謙遜しましょう(けんそんしましょう)
Imperative謙遜しろ(けんそんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym遠慮えんりょNeutralNeutral: holding back or declining out of consideration, as in 「遠慮なく」; stresses restraint and politely refraining.
  • Synonym慎みつつしみNeutralNeutral: being careful and measured in speech and conduct, as in 「慎みがない」; stresses self-control rather than humility.
  • Synonym謙譲けんじょうWrittenLeans written/formal: modestly deferring to others; also humble language in keigo. 「謙遜」 stresses the attitude of lowering oneself.
  • Antonym自慢じまんNeutralNeutral: boasting or showing off; the direct opposite of 「謙遜」.

Use 「謙遜」 for humbling yourself, as in 「謙遜する」. Choose 「謙譲」 for modest deference or humble keigo, 「遠慮」 for politely refraining, 「慎み」 for discretion and self-control; boasting is 「自慢」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 謙へりくだること。控ひかえめな態度たいどをとること。
  2. 態度たいどが控ひかえめなさま。
  3. 謙へりくだる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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