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March 24, 2026
谦(謙)qiān(qian1)
The character 谦 (qiān) means 'modest' or 'humble'. It is commonly used to describe someone who does not boast about their achievements or abilities and is respectful toward others. In interpersonal contexts, it signifies a virtue in Chinese culture that emphasizes humility and self-restraint.
Strokes12Radical讠Frequency#17457DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 谦 is highly valued and often considered a sign of good upbringing. It reflects the Confucian ideal of modesty and respect for others, particularly in social and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quiet person (谦) standing in a crowd, modestly lowering their head so that others can shine. The left part of the character (言) represents 'speech', while the right part (谦) hints at the idea of 'lowering' oneself to avoid speaking too highly of oneself.
Meanings of 谦
qiān(qian1)
1modest
2humble, modest
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 谦
谦Simplified
謙Traditional
12Strokes
讠Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#17457Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谦
Podcast: 谦
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AI Study Notes for 谦
Quick Contrast
谦 (qiān) vs 谦虚 (qiān xū) — use 谦 for a more general sense of modesty, while 谦虚 specifically emphasizes the quality of being modest in a self-deprecating way.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 谦 with its antonym, 骄 (jiāo), which means 'proud'. It is typically used in both formal and informal settings, especially in polite conversation. Be careful with pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 谦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to words like 客气 (kèqì, 'polite') and 尊重 (zūnzhòng, 'respect'). Focus on how to use 谦 in sentences expressing humility, as this aligns with the values of Chinese communication.
Common Mistakes
Students may incorrectly use 谦 to describe someone who is shy or reserved, which are different concepts. Instead, focus on its meaning of humility, as in '谦虚' (qiānxū, 'to be modest').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谦
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How Well Do You Know 谦?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 谦 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
谦 = 讠 + 兼. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 谦
IDS Structure⿰讠兼
谦Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
兼jian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 谦?
How to say modest in Chinese
“modest” in Chinese is谦qiān
The character 谦 (qiān) means 'modest' or 'humble'. It is commonly used to describe someone who does not boast about their achievements or abilities and is respectful toward others. In interpersonal contexts, it signifies a virtue in Chinese culture that emphasizes humility and self-restraint.
When to use 谦
Learners often confuse 谦 with its antonym, 骄 (jiāo), which means 'proud'. It is typically used in both formal and informal settings, especially in polite conversation. Be careful with pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to misunderstanding.
谦 or something close to it
谦 (qiān) vs 谦虚 (qiān xū) — use 谦 for a more general sense of modesty, while 谦虚 specifically emphasizes the quality of being modest in a self-deprecating way.
What learners get wrong
Students may incorrectly use 谦 to describe someone who is shy or reserved, which are different concepts. Instead, focus on its meaning of humility, as in '谦虚' (qiānxū, 'to be modest').
Write 谦
谦
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Grammar Patterns of 谦
谦 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
