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B1 adjective #4,000 most common 7 min read

自卑

z2 b4i Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 自卑 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 自卑 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '自卑' often, but you might hear it. Think of it as a very strong version of 'not happy with myself' or 'sad because others are better.' It's like saying 'I feel small.' You can remember it as a 'feeling' word. Even if you can't use it in complex sentences yet, knowing that '自' means 'me' and '卑' means 'low' helps you understand that this person is feeling 'low about themselves.' At this level, just focus on the basic idea: it's the opposite of being proud or happy. If you see someone crying because they can't do what others do, they might be feeling '自卑.' It is a word about feelings in your heart. You might use it simply: '我不自卑' (I am not inferior) to practice your confidence!

For A2 learners, '自卑' is a useful word to describe emotions beyond just 'happy' or 'sad.' You can start using it with simple verbs like '感到' (feel). For example, '他感到自卑' (He feels inferior). You might use it when talking about school or sports. If a student gets a bad grade and feels like they are not smart, that is '自卑.' It is an important word for describing people's personalities. You can say '他是一个自卑的人' (He is an inferior-feeling person). This helps you move from basic adjectives to more specific psychological descriptions. Remember, it's a negative word. You use it to talk about problems that need to be solved. It's often compared to '自信' (confidence), which is what we want to have instead of '自卑.'

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '自卑' in more complex structures. You can specify *why* someone feels this way using '因为...而感到自卑' (feel inferior because of...). This allows you to discuss social issues, family backgrounds, or personal challenges. You will also encounter the noun form '自卑感' (sense of inferiority). At this stage, you should distinguish between being 'shy' (害羞) and being 'inferior' (自卑). Shyness is about being quiet, but '自卑' is about a deeper feeling of being 'less than' others. You might use it in a journal entry or a discussion about self-improvement. It's a key word for B1 because it appears frequently in stories and articles about personal development and overcoming obstacles.

By B2, you should understand the cultural and psychological nuances of '自卑.' You can use it to analyze characters in literature or discuss societal pressures like 'peer pressure' (同辈压力). You might use phrases like '克服自卑' (overcome inferiority) or '自卑心理' (inferiority complex/mentality). You should also be able to recognize it in formal contexts, such as psychological reports or news articles about mental health. At this level, you can contrast '自卑' with '自负' (conceit) to show how both are unhealthy extremes of self-evaluation. You'll notice that '自卑' is often used as a root cause for other behaviors, like social withdrawal or overcompensation. Your ability to use this word accurately reflects a more sophisticated grasp of Chinese emotional vocabulary.

At the C1 level, you can explore the philosophical and historical roots of '自卑.' You might discuss how the concept of '卑' has evolved from ancient social hierarchies to modern individual psychology. You should be comfortable using related idioms like '自惭形秽' (feeling unworthy in comparison) or '妄自菲薄' (to underestimate oneself). You can engage in deep debates about whether a certain amount of '自卑' can actually motivate someone to work harder (the 'compensation' theory). You will use '自卑' in academic writing or professional counseling contexts. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing it from '自省' (self-reflection) or '谦逊' (humility). You understand that '自卑' is a core concept in the Chinese understanding of the 'self' and its relationship to the collective.

For C2 speakers, '自卑' is a tool for high-level psychological and sociological analysis. You can discuss the 'collective inferiority complex' (集体自卑感) that some scholars argue occurs in post-colonial or rapidly changing societies. You can analyze the linguistic nuances of how '自卑' interacts with other '自-' prefix words like '自爱' (self-love), '自律' (self-discipline), and '自强' (self-improvement). You are capable of explaining the word's nuances to others, including its subtle appearances in classical poetry or modern psychological discourse. You use the word with total native-like precision, recognizing when it is being used ironically, metaphorically, or clinically. At this level, '自卑' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a window into the complexities of human nature and Chinese culture.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

自卑 in 30 Seconds

自卑 (zìbēi) means 'inferiority complex' or 'feeling inferior.' It describes a deep lack of self-worth compared to others.
It is composed of 'self' (自) and 'low' (卑). It is a common psychological term used in both daily life and clinical settings.
Commonly used with verbs like '感到' (feel) or '产生' (produce). It is often contrasted with '自信' (confidence).
Unlike modesty, which is positive, 自卑 is viewed as a negative trait that one should try to overcome or resolve.

The term 自卑 (zìbēi) is a profound psychological descriptor in the Chinese language that translates most accurately to 'inferiority complex' or 'feeling inferior.' It is a compound word consisting of 自 (zì), meaning 'self,' and 卑 (bēi), meaning 'low' or 'base.' When combined, they describe an internal state where an individual perceives themselves as being of lower value, status, or ability compared to others. This is not merely a fleeting moment of doubt but often a deep-seated mindset that affects how one interacts with the world.

Psychological Depth: In a clinical or counseling context, 自卑 describes the 'inferiority complex' first theorized by Alfred Adler. It reflects a lack of self-worth and a tendency to belittle one's own achievements.
Social Comparison: People use this word when discussing why someone is shy, hesitant to speak, or avoids social gatherings. It points to the root cause: the fear that they are not 'good enough' for the group.

他因为家境贫寒而感到自卑。(He feels inferior because of his poor family background.)

Understanding 自卑 is crucial for navigating Chinese social dynamics. While the culture values modesty (谦虚 - qiānxū), 自卑 is viewed as a negative extreme. Modesty is a virtue of downplaying one's strengths, whereas 自卑 is the burden of overestimating one's weaknesses. You will hear this word in heart-to-heart conversations between friends, in self-help literature, and in educational settings where teachers encourage students to overcome their lack of confidence.

克服自卑是走向成功的第一步。(Overcoming inferiority is the first step toward success.)

Nuance of 'Bēi': Historically, '卑' referred to low social status or position. Today, it has shifted to the mental state of feeling 'low' regardless of actual social standing.

过度的自卑会让人失去很多机会。(Excessive inferiority makes people lose many opportunities.)

In modern Chinese internet culture, people sometimes use 自卑 ironically to describe the feeling of being outclassed by 'geniuses' or 'wealthy peers' (often referred to as '大神' or '高富帅'), but in its standard usage, it remains a serious term for a psychological struggle.

Using 自卑 correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that often functions like a noun or a stative verb. It frequently follows verbs of feeling or state. The most common structure is 感到 (gǎndào) + 自卑, meaning 'to feel inferior.'

在这么多天才面前，我深感自卑。(In front of so many geniuses, I feel deeply inferior.)

Adjectival Usage: It can modify a person directly: '一个自卑的人' (A person with low self-esteem). It describes a personality trait rather than just a temporary mood.
Noun Phrase: 自卑感: By adding '感' (gǎn - sense/feeling), you create the noun 'inferiority complex' (自卑感). This is used in more formal or psychological discussions.

Another important pattern is using it with the preposition 对...感到自卑 (to feel inferior about [something]). This specifies the source of the feeling, such as one's appearance, grades, or family background.

她对自己的外貌有些自卑。(She is a bit self-conscious/feels inferior about her appearance.)

不要让自卑心理阻碍你的发展。(Don't let an inferiority complex hinder your development.)

Degree Adverbs: Because it is a stative adjective, it can be modified by '很' (very), '非常' (extremely), or '有点儿' (a bit).

他内心其实非常自卑。(Inwardly, he is actually extremely inferior-feeling.)

You will encounter 自卑 in a variety of real-life scenarios, ranging from intimate personal confessions to formal academic analysis. It is a staple word in modern Chinese discourse about mental health and personal growth.

In Schools: Teachers often use it to describe students who lack the confidence to participate. You might hear: '这个学生比较自卑，需要多鼓励' (This student is quite self-conscious and needs more encouragement).
In Movies and TV Dramas: Protagonists often struggle with 自卑 when they fall in love with someone from a higher social class. It's a classic trope in 'Cinderella' style stories (灰姑娘的故事).

电影里的男主角因为残疾而感到自卑。(The male lead in the movie feels inferior because of his disability.)

On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) or Zhihu (Chinese Quora), users frequently discuss '如何摆脱自卑' (How to get rid of inferiority). It is a trending topic because of the intense social competition in modern China, often referred to as 'involution' (内卷 - nèijuǎn).

他总是躲在角落里，看起来很自卑。(He always hides in the corner; he looks very self-conscious.)

Workplace Dynamics: In professional settings, a manager might notice a talented employee is too 自卑 to lead a project, leading to a discussion about 'building confidence' (建立自信).

不要因为一次失败就产生自卑感。(Don't develop a sense of inferiority just because of one failure.)

Finally, in literature, 自卑 is used to paint a picture of a character's internal struggle, often contrasted with '自负' (zìfù - conceited/arrogant), showing the two extremes of self-perception.

While 自卑 is a common word, learners often misuse it by confusing it with related but distinct concepts. Understanding these boundaries is key to sounding natural in Chinese.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Modesty' (谦虚): In Chinese culture, being humble is a virtue. However, '自卑' is never a virtue. If you say '我很自卑' when you mean 'I am being humble,' people will think you have a psychological problem. Use '谦虚' (qiānxū) for positive humility.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Shame' (羞耻): Shame (羞耻 - xiūchǐ) is a reaction to a specific wrong action. Inferiority (自卑) is a general feeling about one's entire self. You feel ashamed of a lie, but you feel inferior about your status.

Incorrect: 他做了错事，感到很自卑。(He did something wrong and felt inferior.)
Correct: 他做了错事，感到很羞愧。(He did something wrong and felt ashamed.)

Incorrect: 他的话让我很自卑。(His words made me very inferior.)
Better: 他的话让我感到很自卑。(His words made me feel very inferior.)

Mistake 3: Overusing with 'Have' (有): English speakers often say 'I have an inferiority complex.' In Chinese, while '我有自卑感' is possible, it's much more common to use it as an adjective with '很' or '感到'.

不要总是那么自卑。(Don't always be so inferior-feeling.)

Lastly, don't confuse 自卑 with 内向 (nèixiàng - introverted). An introverted person may be very confident but simply prefers solitude. A 自卑 person may be extroverted but is constantly seeking validation to mask their feelings of inadequacy.

To truly master 自卑, you should know its neighbors in the semantic field. These words help you express different shades of lack of confidence or social discomfort.

没自信 (méi zìxìn): This is the most common informal alternative. It literally means 'no self-confidence.' It's less 'heavy' than 自卑 and is used for specific tasks (e.g., 'I'm not confident about this exam').
胆怯 (dǎnqiè): Meaning 'timid' or 'cowardly.' This focuses on the *fear* of action, whereas 自卑 focuses on the *evaluation* of self.

他不是自卑，他只是有点胆怯。(He's not inferior-feeling; he's just a bit timid.)

逊色 (xùnsè): Meaning 'to pale in comparison' or 'to be inferior to.' This is used for comparing things or skills, not necessarily a person's psychological state.

他的技术毫不逊色。(His technique is not inferior at all.)

羞涩 (xiūsè): Meaning 'shy' or 'bashful.' This is often seen as a neutral or even cute trait, unlike the negative 自卑.

小女孩有些羞涩地笑了。(The little girl smiled a bit shyly.)

When you want to be formal, you can use 自惭形秽 (zì cán xíng huì), an idiom meaning 'to feel unworthy/inferior' specifically when comparing one's appearance or character to someone much better.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '卑' was not necessarily psychological; it was a literal description of your rank in the imperial court. Only in modern times did it become a psychological term.

Pronunciation Guide

UK tsɨ̂ peɪ

US tsɨ̂ peɪ

The stress is equal on both syllables, following standard Mandarin rules.

Rhymes With

自卑 (zìbēi) 悲 (bēi) 杯 (bēi) 碑 (bēi) 飞 (fēi) 眉 (méi) 谁 (shéi) 雷 (léi)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zì' as 'zi' (neutral tone).
Aspirating the 'b' in 'bēi' (making it sound like 'pei').
Confusing the 4th tone of 'zì' with the 2nd tone 'zí'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in literature and articles; recognizable components.

Writing 4/5

Writing '卑' correctly requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires correct tone for 'zì'.

Listening 3/5

Distinct sound, but can be confused with other 'zì' words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

自己高低感觉自信

Learn Next

自负谦虚心理克服骄傲

Advanced

妄自菲薄自惭形秽潜意识补偿心理

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

他变得自卑了。

Cause-Effect with 因为...而...

他因为贫穷而自卑。

Stative Verbs as Adjectives

他很自卑。

Noun derivation with 感

自卑感。

Prepositional phrases with 对

他对自己的能力感到自卑。

Examples by Level

他不自卑。

He is not inferior-feeling.

Simple negative with 不.

你不要自卑。

Don't feel inferior.

Imperative with 不要.

她很自卑。

She is very self-conscious.

Adjective modified by 很.

自卑不好。

Feeling inferior is not good.

Subject-predicate structure.

我很自卑吗？

Am I inferior-feeling?

Question with 吗.

他有一点自卑。

He is a little inferior-feeling.

Modified by 有一点.

因为自卑，他不说话。

Because of inferiority, he doesn't speak.

Simple cause-effect.

谁自卑？

Who feels inferior?

Question with 谁.

他感到非常自卑。

He feels extremely inferior.

Verb 感到 + Adjective.

不要因为成绩差而自卑。

Don't feel inferior because of poor grades.

因为...而... structure.

自卑的人通常很害羞。

Inferior-feeling people are usually very shy.

Adjective modifying a noun with 的.

她为什么感到自卑？

Why does she feel inferior?

Question with 为什么.

我以前很自卑，现在好多了。

I used to be very inferior-feeling, but now I'm much better.

Contrast using 以前 and 现在.

他是一个自卑的孩子。

He is an inferior-feeling child.

Standard 'is' sentence.

自卑会让你不开心。

Inferiority will make you unhappy.

Subject as a state.

我们要克服自卑。

We need to overcome inferiority.

Verb 克服 + Object.

这种自卑感很难消除。

This sense of inferiority is hard to eliminate.

Noun 自卑感 as subject.

他总是拿自己和别人比，所以很自卑。

He always compares himself with others, so he feels very inferior.

Logic of comparison leading to the state.

贫穷有时会导致孩子产生自卑心理。

Poverty sometimes leads children to develop an inferiority complex.

导致...产生... structure.

她因为自己的口音而感到有些自卑。

She feels a bit inferior because of her accent.

Focusing on a specific cause.

自卑并不是谦虚，请分清楚。

Inferiority is not modesty; please distinguish them.

Contrast of two concepts.

他的成功让他摆脱了自卑。

His success allowed him to rid himself of inferiority.

Verb 摆脱 (get rid of).

如果你一直自卑，就无法发挥潜力。

If you are always inferior-feeling, you won't be able to reach your potential.

Conditional 'If... then...'.

心理医生在帮他处理自卑问题。

The psychologist is helping him deal with his inferiority issues.

Handling a problem.

过度的自卑其实是一种自私的表现。

Excessive inferiority is actually a manifestation of selfishness.

Philosophical assertion.

他在才华横溢的同事面前深感自卑。

He felt deeply inferior in front of his brilliant colleagues.

Deep feeling in a specific social context.

建立自信是克服自卑最有效的方法。

Building self-confidence is the most effective way to overcome inferiority.

Superlative 'the most...'.

这种自卑源于他严厉的家庭教育。

This inferiority stems from his strict family upbringing.

Verb 源于 (stems from).

自卑的人往往对批评过度敏感。

Inferior-feeling people are often overly sensitive to criticism.

Describing a behavioral pattern.

虽然他很有钱，但他内心依然很自卑。

Although he is wealthy, he is still very inferior-feeling inside.

Concession clause 'Although... yet...'.

自卑感会影响一个人的社交能力。

A sense of inferiority can affect one's social skills.

Describing impact.

他学会了接纳不完美的自己，不再自卑。

He learned to accept his imperfect self and is no longer inferior-feeling.

Change of state.

自卑与自负往往是硬币的两面。

Inferiority and conceit are often two sides of the same coin.

Metaphorical comparison.

他那骨子里的自卑是很难被外在成功掩盖的。

The inferiority in his bones is hard to cover up with external success.

Abstract noun modification.

这种深层的自卑感阻碍了他追求更高的目标。

This deep sense of inferiority hindered him from pursuing higher goals.

Complex subject-verb-object.

阿德勒认为自卑是人类进步的动力之一。

Adler believed that inferiority is one of the driving forces of human progress.

Citing a theory.

如果不加引导，自卑可能会演变成抑郁。

If not guided, inferiority might evolve into depression.

Predicting a psychological progression.

他在字里行间流露出一股淡淡的自卑。

He revealed a faint sense of inferiority between the lines of his writing.

Literary description.

这种集体自卑感在那个时代非常普遍。

This collective sense of inferiority was very common in 그 era.

Sociological usage.

他试图通过炫耀财富来掩饰内心的自卑。

He tried to hide his inner inferiority by showing off his wealth.

Describing a defense mechanism.

这种极度的自卑感往往源于童年时期的情感忽视。

This extreme sense of inferiority often stems from emotional neglect in childhood.

Precise psychological causality.

他巧妙地将自卑转化为一种不懈奋斗的动力。

He skillfully transformed his inferiority into a motivation for relentless struggle.

Describing psychological sublimation.

自卑心理的形成是一个复杂的多维度过程。

The formation of an inferiority complex is a complex, multi-dimensional process.

Academic definition.

在那篇论文中，他探讨了自卑与社会阶层流动的关系。

In that paper, he explored the relationship between inferiority and social mobility.

Discussing research.

自卑感的消解需要长期的自我认知与外界支持。

The dissolution of an inferiority complex requires long-term self-awareness and external support.

Formal noun-based sentence.

他那近乎自虐的谦卑实际上是源于深不可测的自卑。

His almost masochistic humility actually stems from unfathomable inferiority.

Deep psychological insight.

我们应当警惕那种披着‘谦逊’外衣的自卑。

We should be wary of that kind of inferiority cloaked in the guise of 'humility.'

Metaphorical warning.

自卑感在跨文化语境下的表现形式各不相同。

The manifestations of inferiority vary across different cultural contexts.

Cross-cultural analysis.

Common Collocations

感到自卑

自卑感

克服自卑

自卑心理

内心自卑

极度自卑

产生自卑

摆脱自卑

深深的自卑

自卑倾向

Common Phrases

自卑情结

— Inferiority complex (Adlerian term).

每个人都有不同程度的自卑情结。

因为...而自卑

— To feel inferior because of something.

他因为身高而自卑。

从小就自卑

— To have been inferior-feeling since childhood.

她从小就自卑。

这种自卑

— This kind of inferiority.

这种自卑很难改变。

由于自卑

— Due to inferiority.

由于自卑，他拒绝了邀请。

掩饰自卑

— To hide one's inferiority.

他用傲慢来掩饰自卑。

陷入自卑

— To fall into a state of inferiority.

他陷入了深深的自卑中。

消除自卑

— To eliminate inferiority.

运动可以帮助消除自卑。

自卑情绪

— Inferiority emotions.

控制好你的自卑情绪。

不再自卑

— No longer feeling inferior.

现在的他不再自卑。

Often Confused With

自卑 vs 谦虚

Humility is a choice and a virtue; inferiority is a painful feeling of lack.

自卑 vs 害羞

Shyness is social discomfort; inferiority is a negative self-judgment.

自卑 vs 羞耻

Shame is about an action; inferiority is about the whole self.

Idioms & Expressions

"自惭形秽"

— To feel unworthy or inferior when comparing oneself to others.

见到他，我真有点自惭形秽。

literary

"妄自菲薄"

— To underestimate oneself or have low self-esteem.

我们不能妄自菲薄，要相信自己。

formal

"唯唯诺诺"

— To be a yes-man; often a behavioral result of inferiority.

他在老板面前总是唯唯诺诺的。

neutral

"垂头丧气"

— Dejected; looking down and out.

他垂头丧气地走出了办公室。

neutral

"低三下四"

— To be humble or groveling in a degrading way.

为了生活，他不得不低三下四地求人。

informal

"畏首畏尾"

— Over-cautious and afraid to act.

做事情不要畏首畏尾的。

neutral

"缩手缩脚"

— To be bound by hands and feet; hesitant to act.

他因为自卑，做事总是缩手缩脚。

neutral

"自轻自贱"

— To lack self-respect; to belittle oneself.

人要自爱，不能自轻自贱。

formal

"自暴自弃"

— To give up on oneself; often the end result of extreme inferiority.

虽然失败了，但不要自暴自弃。

formal

"仰人鼻息"

— To depend on others' whims; to be subservient.

他不想过这种仰人鼻息的生活。

literary

Easily Confused

自卑 vs 自负

Both start with '自'.

自负 is thinking too highly of oneself (conceit), while 自卑 is thinking too lowly.

他表面自负，内心却很自卑。

自卑 vs 自尊

Both relate to self-worth.

自尊 is healthy self-respect; 自卑 is the lack of it.

强烈的自尊心有时会掩盖自卑。

自卑 vs 自卑感

Same meaning.

自卑 is usually an adjective; 自卑感 is the noun (complex/feeling).

他有很强的自卑感。

自卑 vs 逊色

Both imply 'lower'.

逊色 is used for comparing qualities of things/skills; 自卑 is for human psychology.

他的表现毫不逊色。

自卑 vs 卑微

Both use '卑'.

卑微 describes a low social status or a tiny existence; 自卑 is the feeling of being low.

出身卑微不代表要感到自卑。

Sentence Patterns

S + 很 + 自卑

他很自卑。

S + 感到 + 自卑

我感到很自卑。

S + 因为 + Reason + 而 + 自卑

他因为个子矮而自卑。

S + 对 + Something + 感到 + 自卑

她对自己的英语感到自卑。

克服/摆脱 + 自卑

我们要努力克服自卑。

自卑 + 心理/感/情结

他有强烈的自卑感。

源于...的自卑

源于童年的自卑很难消除。

将 + 自卑 + 转化为 + 动力

他将自卑转化为奋斗的动力。

Word Family

Nouns

自卑感

自卑心理

Adjectives

自卑

自信

自大

自负

自尊

自爱

How to Use It

frequency

Common in psychological, educational, and personal contexts.

Common Mistakes

我有自卑。 → 我很自卑。/ 我有自卑感。
In Chinese, you don't 'have' the adjective 自卑. You either 'are' it or have the 'sense' (感) of it.
他自卑我。 → 他在我面前感到自卑。
自卑 is an intransitive adjective, not a verb that can take an object.
我很自卑，谢谢你的夸奖。 → 我很谦虚，谢谢你的夸奖。
Don't use '自卑' when you mean 'I am being humble' in response to a compliment.
这个电脑很自卑。 → 这个电脑很差。/ 逊色。
自卑 is strictly for human emotions, not for objects.
他感到自卑，因为他偷了钱。 → 他感到羞愧，因为他偷了钱。
Use '羞愧' (ashamed) for specific wrongdoings, not '自卑'.

Tips

Modesty vs. Inferiority

Be careful in China; if you are too humble, people might think you are '自卑'. Strike a balance between '谦虚' and '自信'.

Using '感'

Add '感' to turn the adjective '自卑' into the noun 'inferiority complex'.

Pairing with '而'

Use the pattern '因为 [Reason] 而 [自卑]' to explain the cause fluently.

Tone Accuracy

The 4th tone on 'zì' is crucial. If you say it with a 1st tone, it might sound like 'stabbing' (刺 - cì).

The Adler Connection

If you are interested in psychology, '自卑' is the key term for Alfred Adler's theories in Chinese.

Character Balance

The character '卑' should not be too 'tall'; keep the '十' part compact.

Context Clues

If you hear '内心' (inner heart), '自卑' is likely to follow.

Encouraging Others

Instead of saying '别自卑', say '要有信心' (have confidence) to be more positive.

Advanced Usage

Learn '自惭形秽' to express a more poetic or extreme version of inferiority.

Level Up

Try using '摆脱自卑' in your next speaking practice to show B2 level proficiency.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Zì (Self) + Bēi (Below). When you feel Zìbēi, you see your 'Self' as 'Below' everyone else.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a deep hole while everyone else is on flat ground. The person in the hole is 'low' (卑).

Word Web

Psychology Emotion Confidence Self-esteem Adler Social Anxiety Comparison Growth

Challenge

Try to write three things you used to feel 自卑 about but have now overcome.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two ancient characters. '自' (zì) originally depicted a nose, pointing to oneself. '卑' (bēi) originally depicted a hand holding a fan or a low-ranking tool, symbolizing low status.

Original meaning: Lowly self; originally used to describe one's humble status in a hierarchy.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word to describe others, as it can be taken as an insult or a deep criticism of their character.

In English, 'inferiority complex' sounds clinical. In Chinese, '自卑' is used more broadly in daily conversation.

Alfred Adler's 'Individual Psychology' (translated as 个体心理学 in Chinese). Lu Xun's characters often struggle with various forms of self-belittlement. The movie 'Better Days' (少年的你) touches on themes of student inferiority.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Performance

成绩差
比不过别人
学习压力
感到自卑

Physical Appearance

对长相自卑
整容心理
外貌焦虑
不自信

Social Gatherings

不敢说话
躲在角落
社交恐惧
感到自卑

Career/Work

能力不足
职场压力
不敢申请
自卑心理

Family Background

家境贫寒
父母严厉
出身
自卑感

Conversation Starters

"你曾经因为什么事情感到自卑吗？"

"你觉得自卑和谦虚的区别在哪里？"

"当你的朋友感到自卑时，你会怎么安慰他？"

"你认为自卑感可以转化成动力吗？"

"在社交媒体时代，人们是不是更容易感到自卑？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你如何克服一次自卑的经历。

讨论一下现代社会竞争如何导致年轻人的自卑心理。

分析一个文学作品中表现出自卑的人物。

你认为自信是天生的，还是可以通过克服自卑建立的？

描述一个你不再感到自卑的瞬间。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Chinese culture, it's generally viewed as a negative psychological state. However, psychologists sometimes argue that it can motivate someone to improve themselves.

No. '自卑' is only for people. For products, use '劣质' (poor quality) or '逊色' (inferior to).

'没自信' is more casual and often refers to a specific task. '自卑' is deeper and refers to one's personality or general self-worth.

You can say '自卑感' (zìbēi gǎn) or '自卑情结' (zìbēi qíngjié).

It is a standard word used in both formal writing and daily speech. It is not slang.

Yes, it is very common to discuss '自卑的孩子' in educational contexts.

The most common verbs are '感到' (feel), '产生' (produce/develop), and '克服' (overcome).

Yes, it can be quite offensive as it implies they have a psychological weakness. It's better used for self-reflection or clinical discussion.

It has 8 strokes. Start with the top '丿', then the box-like shape, and finally the '十' at the bottom.

The most direct opposite is '自信' (zìxìn - self-confidence).