feel inferior; have a sense of inadequacy
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to feel ashamed of one's inferiority; to have a sense of inadequacy; to feel unworthy
Originally from classical Chinese literature (《世说新语》), describing feelings of inadequacy when comparing oneself to others. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often with a slightly self-deprecating tone.
Zài在
zhè这
xiē些
cái才
huá华
héng横
yì溢
de的
yì艺
shù术
jiā家
miàn面
qián前
，
tā他
gǎn感
dào到
zì自
cán惭
xíng形
huì秽
。
In front of these brilliantly talented artists, he felt ashamed of his own inadequacy.
Tā她
jué觉
de得
zì自
jǐ己
pèi配
bù不
shàng上
tā他
，
bù不
jīn禁
zì自
cán惭
xíng形
huì秽
。
She felt she wasn't good enough for him and couldn't help feeling inferior.
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Kàn看
dào到
bié别
rén人
de的
chéng成
jiù就
，
wǒ我
men们
bù不
yīng应
dāng当
zì自
cán惭
xíng形
huì秽
，
ér而
yīng应
nǔ努
lì力
zhuī追
gǎn赶
。
When we see others' achievements, we should not feel inferior but strive to catch up.
Zì自
cán惭
xíng形
huì秽
bìng并
bù不
néng能
jiě解
jué决
wèn问
tí题
，
guān关
jiàn键
shì是
yào要
tí提
shēng升
zì自
jǐ己
。
Feeling ashamed of inadequacy cannot solve problems; the key is to improve oneself.