incompetent; humble self-reference
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesadjective
incompetent; lacking talent
humbleMostly used as a self-deprecating term in a humble and polite context, particularly in classical or formal writing/speech.
Dì弟
zǐ子
bù不
cái才
，
qǐng请
xiān先
sheng生
duō多
duō多
zhǐ指
jiào教
。
I am incompetent; please instruct me more, sir.
Tā他
cháng常
zì自
chēng称
bù不
cái才
zhī之
shì士
，
qí其
shí实
xué学
shí识
yuān渊
bó博
。
He often calls himself a man of little talent, but in fact, he is very knowledgeable.
noun
humble term for oneself
humbleUsed as a first-person pronoun by men in classical Chinese contexts to show humility, often in formal letters, speeches, or when speaking to a respected person.
Qí其
zhōng中
dào道
lǐ理
，
bù不
cái才
yuàn愿
xǐ洗
ěr耳
líng聆
jiào教
。
As for the reasoning therein, I am willing to listen respectfully and learn.
Bù不
cái才
duì对
cǐ此
shì事
lüè略
yǒu有
zhuō拙
jiàn见
，
shuō说
chū出
lái来
gōng供
zhū诸
wèi位
cān参
kǎo考
。
I have a humble opinion on this matter, which I offer for your reference.