Explanation at your level:
겸손 means you are not bragging. If you win a game, you say 'thank you' instead of 'I am the best.' It is a good thing to be.
When you are 겸손, you act kindly. You don't tell everyone how great you are. People like you more when you are humble.
겸손 is the quality of being modest. Even if you are very smart or talented, you don't show off. It is a very important social skill in Korea.
The concept of 겸손 involves a balance between self-respect and modesty. It is often used to describe someone who remains grounded despite their success in their career or studies.
In advanced contexts, 겸손 represents a sophisticated social strategy. It is not just about being shy; it is about acknowledging the contributions of others and maintaining social harmony in a competitive environment.
The term 겸손 carries deep cultural weight. It reflects the Confucian ideal of self-effacement and the recognition of one's place within a collective. Mastery of this concept involves understanding when to assert oneself and when to yield for the sake of group cohesion.
30秒でわかる単語
- 겸손 means humility or modesty.
- It is a highly valued trait in Korean culture.
- The adjective form is 겸손하다.
- It is the opposite of arrogance (오만).
The word 겸손 (gyeom-son) translates to 'humility' or 'modesty' in English. It describes a person who is grounded, modest, and avoids acting superior to others.
Being 겸손 doesn't mean having low self-esteem. Instead, it means having a quiet confidence where you don't feel the need to broadcast your accomplishments to everyone around you.
In many social contexts, demonstrating 겸손 is seen as a sign of maturity and emotional intelligence. It helps build trust and stronger relationships with friends, family, and colleagues.
The word 겸손 originates from Sino-Korean roots (Hanja: 謙遜). The character 謙 (겸) means 'to be modest or humble,' while 遜 (손) means 'to yield or give way.'
Historically, this concept is deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, which emphasizes social harmony and the importance of not being overly self-centered. In ancient East Asian societies, yielding to others and downplaying one's own merit was a sign of high moral character.
Over centuries, the word has evolved from a strictly philosophical term into a standard part of everyday vocabulary used to describe personal character and professional conduct.
You will often hear 겸손 used in professional settings, such as during job interviews or when receiving praise. It is a positive trait that people admire.
Common collocations include 겸손하다 (to be humble), which is the adjective form. You might hear phrases like '그는 매우 겸손한 사람이다' (He is a very humble person).
It is commonly used in formal registers, but it is also very common in daily life when someone is being complimented and wants to deflect the praise politely.
1. 겸손이 지나치면 오만이다: Being overly humble can sometimes come across as arrogant or insincere.
2. 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다: 'The more the rice ripens, the lower it bows.' This is a classic proverb meaning that truly successful people are the most humble.
3. 겸손을 떨다: To act humble (sometimes used when someone is being fake-modest).
4. 자신을 낮추다: To lower oneself (to show humility).
5. 겸손한 태도: A humble attitude.
겸손 functions as a noun. To turn it into an adjective, you add the suffix -하다 (to do/be), resulting in 겸손하다.
Pronunciation: The word is pronounced 'gyeom-son.' The 'gyeom' part has a soft 'g' sound, and 'son' rhymes with the English word 'gone' but with a shorter vowel sound.
There is no plural form as it is an abstract noun. It is often used with the particle -한 to modify nouns, such as '겸손한 사람' (humble person).
Fun Fact
The character 謙 is composed of 'speech' and 'modesty'.
Pronunciation Guide
Gyeom (like 'yum' with a 'g') - son (like 'son')
Gyeom (like 'yum' with a 'g') - son (like 'son')
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'gyeom'
- Stress on the wrong syllable
- Not holding the 'm' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Noun + 하다
겸손하다
Adjective + 게
겸손하게
Noun + 의
겸손의 미덕
Examples by Level
그는 겸손해요.
He is humble.
Adjective form
겸손은 좋아요.
Humility is good.
Noun usage
겸손한 사람이 되세요.
Be a humble person.
Imperative
그녀는 정말 겸손해요.
She is very humble.
Adverb usage
겸손이 중요해요.
Humility is important.
Subject marker
겸손하게 말하세요.
Speak humbly.
Adverbial form
그는 겸손한 학생이에요.
He is a humble student.
Noun modification
겸손을 배우세요.
Learn humility.
Object marker
그는 항상 겸손한 태도를 유지합니다.
겸손한 사람은 친구가 많아요.
성공해도 겸손해야 합니다.
그녀의 겸손함에 감동했어요.
겸손은 최고의 미덕입니다.
그는 겸손하게 대답했습니다.
겸손한 마음을 가지세요.
겸손은 사람을 매력적으로 만듭니다.
그는 자신의 성과를 자랑하지 않는 겸손한 사람입니다.
겸손은 리더에게 필요한 자질입니다.
그는 겸손을 통해 많은 사람의 존경을 얻었습니다.
겸손하게 자신의 실수를 인정하는 것이 중요합니다.
그는 겸손한 자세로 조언을 구했습니다.
겸손함은 배움의 시작입니다.
그녀는 겸손한 성격 덕분에 인기가 많습니다.
겸손을 잃지 않는 것이 진정한 성공입니다.
겸손은 약함이 아니라 강함의 표현입니다.
그는 겸손한 태도로 비판을 수용했습니다.
겸손한 자세는 대인 관계를 원만하게 만듭니다.
그는 정상의 위치에서도 겸손함을 잃지 않았습니다.
겸손은 타인에 대한 존중에서 비롯됩니다.
겸손한 사람은 자신의 한계를 잘 압니다.
그는 겸손함으로 주변 사람들을 편안하게 합니다.
겸손이 지나치면 오히려 자신감이 없어 보일 수 있습니다.
그의 겸손한 태도는 그가 가진 지식의 깊이를 더욱 돋보이게 했습니다.
진정한 겸손은 자기 비하가 아닌 객관적인 자기 인식입니다.
그는 겸손한 리더십을 통해 조직의 화합을 이끌어냈습니다.
겸손은 오만함을 방지하는 가장 강력한 방어 기제입니다.
그녀는 겸손한 태도로 거대한 성취를 담담하게 받아들였습니다.
겸손은 타인의 의견을 경청하는 마음가짐에서 시작됩니다.
그는 겸손한 자세로 난관을 극복하며 성장했습니다.
겸손은 단순한 예의를 넘어선 철학적 태도입니다.
그의 겸손함은 수많은 업적 뒤에 숨겨진 인격의 완성도를 보여줍니다.
겸손은 자아의 경계를 허물고 타인과 소통하게 하는 가교입니다.
그는 겸손한 수용성을 통해 새로운 지식을 끊임없이 흡수했습니다.
겸손은 권력의 정점에서 가장 빛나는 미덕입니다.
그의 겸손한 언행은 주변 사람들에게 깊은 울림을 주었습니다.
겸손은 자기 객관화라는 고도의 지적 능력을 요구합니다.
그는 겸손한 태도로 비판을 성장의 밑거름으로 삼았습니다.
겸손은 인간이 도달할 수 있는 가장 높은 인격적 경지 중 하나입니다.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다"
Successful people are more humble.
성공했다고 자랑하지 마. 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙이는 법이야.
proverb"겸손을 떨다"
To act overly humble.
그만 겸손을 떨어, 너 정말 잘했어!
casual"자신을 낮추다"
To lower one's own status.
그는 자신을 낮추어 남을 높였다.
neutral"겸허히 수용하다"
To accept humbly.
나는 비판을 겸허히 수용했다.
formal"겸손의 극치"
The ultimate level of humility.
그의 겸손은 겸손의 극치였다.
formal"겸손을 잊지 말라"
Do not forget to be humble.
항상 겸손을 잊지 말라.
neutralEasily Confused
Both relate to character
Opposites
겸손은 좋고 오만은 나쁘다.
Both can involve looking down
Shyness vs Modesty
나는 부끄러움을 많이 탄다.
Both mean modesty
Register
겸양은 더 격식 있는 표현이다.
Both involve yielding
Obedience vs Modesty
순종은 명령을 따르는 것이다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 는 + 겸손하다
그는 겸손하다.
Subject + 는 + 겸손한 + Noun
그는 겸손한 사람이다.
겸손하게 + Verb
겸손하게 행동하세요.
겸손의 + Noun
겸손의 미덕을 실천하세요.
겸손함을 + Verb
겸손함을 잃지 마세요.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
겸손 is a noun, you need -하다 to make it a verb/adjective.
They are opposites.
Shy is '부끄러움', which is different.
It describes character, not inanimate things.
It's best used as a response to compliments.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a bow (the action) every time you say the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone praises you.
Cultural Insight
It is a core Confucian value.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add -하다 to make it descriptive.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'gyeom' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for things.
Did You Know?
It's related to the word for 'yield'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about yourself.
Deep Meaning
It's about social harmony.
Adverbial Tip
Use -하게 for adverbial use.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Gyeom (Gem) - Son (Son): A son who is a gem because he is humble.
Visual Association
A person bowing their head slightly in a garden.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to accept a compliment today by saying 'Thank you' instead of denying it.
語源
Sino-Korean (Hanja)
Original meaning: Yielding and modest
文化的な背景
Can be misinterpreted as a lack of confidence if overdone.
Humility is valued but often balanced with 'self-confidence' in Western cultures.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- 겸손한 태도로 임하다
- 겸손하게 배우다
- 겸손함을 인정받다
at school
- 겸손한 학생
- 겸손을 배우다
- 겸손한 자세
socializing
- 정말 겸손하시네요
- 겸손은 미덕입니다
- 겸손하게 대답하다
giving feedback
- 겸손하게 받아들이다
- 겸손한 비판
- 겸손한 태도
Conversation Starters
"Do you think humility is important in modern society?"
"Can you describe a humble person you know?"
"How can one remain humble after achieving great success?"
"Is it possible to be too humble?"
"What is the difference between humility and low self-confidence?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time someone showed humility to you.
Reflect on why humility is considered a virtue.
How do you practice humility in your daily life?
Describe a situation where someone's arrogance could have been avoided by humility.
よくある質問
8 問Yes, it is considered a virtue.
Yes, but be careful not to sound fake.
오만 (arrogance).
No, it's a noun. Use 겸손하다 for verb/adjective usage.
겸손.
Yes, very common in interviews.
No, shy is 부끄러움.
저는 겸손합니다.
自分をテスト
그는 매우 ___ 사람입니다.
겸손한 describes a person.
Which means humble?
겸손 is the word for humble.
겸손 is a negative word.
It is a positive trait.
Word
意味
These are opposites.
Subject + Adjective + Noun structure.
성공해도 ___ 태도를 유지하세요.
Context requires a positive adjective.
What is the best synonym for 겸손?
겸양 is the most formal synonym.
겸손하다 can be used for inanimate objects.
It describes human character.
Standard sentence structure.
What does '벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다' mean?
It's a metaphor for humility.
スコア： /10
Summary
True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
- 겸손 means humility or modesty.
- It is a highly valued trait in Korean culture.
- The adjective form is 겸손하다.
- It is the opposite of arrogance (오만).
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a bow (the action) every time you say the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone praises you.
Cultural Insight
It is a core Confucian value.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add -하다 to make it descriptive.
Related Content
この単語を他の言語で
emotionsの関連語
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
