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自卑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
自卑zìbēifeeling inferiorHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #16462, Very Hard
自卑zìbēiself-abasedHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #16462, Very Hard
zìbēi(zi4bei1)zi bei T4
  1. 1feeling inferior
  2. 2self-abased
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March 24, 2026

自卑zìbēi(zi4bei1)

自卑 (zìbēi) refers to a feeling of inferiority or self-abasement. It describes a state where individuals perceive themselves as less capable or worthy compared to others, often leading to low self-esteem. This term is commonly used in discussions about mental health, self-perception, and personal development.

Strokes14Frequency#16462DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, there is significant emphasis on collective success and harmony, which can exacerbate feelings of self-abasement when comparing oneself to others. The concept of 自卑 can often be linked to societal pressures to conform and succeed.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing on a small pedestal (自) feeling small and looking down (卑) at others who seem taller and more accomplished. The '自' (self) signifies that the feeling of inferiority comes from within, while '卑' (low) visually represents the person's low self-worth.

Meanings of 自卑

zìbēi(zi4bei1)
1feeling inferior
2self-abased
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About 自卑

自卑Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#16462Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 自卑

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Podcast: 自卑

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AI Study Notes for 自卑

Quick Contrast

自卑 (zìbēi) vs 自卑感 (zìbēi gǎn): use 自卑 for the state of feeling inferior, while 自卑感 refers specifically to the feeling or sense of inferiority.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; using '自卑' in informal contexts can come off as overly dramatic. It’s often paired with words like '感到' (to feel) to form phrases like '感到自卑' (to feel inferior). Avoid saying '我自卑了' as it implies a past action rather than a current state.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 word, 自卑 is relevant for learners focusing on emotional and psychological vocabulary. Students should also connect it with related terms like 自信 (zìxìn, self-confidence) to understand the spectrum of self-perception.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 自卑 with 自信 (self-confidence), leading to phrases like '我自信自卑,' which is incorrect. Instead, use '我既自信又自卑' to express having both feelings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 自卑

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Component Characters

自zìfrom
HSK 46 strokes自
View full entry
卑bēilow
8 strokes十
View full entry

How to say feeling inferior in Chinese

“feeling inferior” in Chinese is自卑zìbēi

自卑 (zìbēi) refers to a feeling of inferiority or self-abasement. It describes a state where individuals perceive themselves as less capable or worthy compared to others, often leading to low self-esteem. This term is commonly used in discussions about mental health, self-perception, and personal development.

When to use 自卑

Be cautious with the tone; using '自卑' in informal contexts can come off as overly dramatic. It’s often paired with words like '感到' (to feel) to form phrases like '感到自卑' (to feel inferior). Avoid saying '我自卑了' as it implies a past action rather than a current state.

自卑 or something close to it

自卑 (zìbēi) vs 自卑感 (zìbēi gǎn): use 自卑 for the state of feeling inferior, while 自卑感 refers specifically to the feeling or sense of inferiority.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 自卑 with 自信 (self-confidence), leading to phrases like '我自信自卑,' which is incorrect. Instead, use '我既自信又自卑' to express having both feelings.

Write 自卑

自
卑

Practice writing 自卑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 自卑

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, individuals may openly discuss feelings of inferiority, whereas in Chinese culture, such feelings might be more internalized due to the emphasis on modesty and group harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions about 自卑

You can say '我感到自卑' which means 'I feel inferior.'

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