遜
遜·humble, inferior
- On-yomi
- ソン
- Kun-yomi
- へりくだ(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 謙遜 | けんそん | modesty |
| 不遜 | ふそん | arrogant, insolent |
| 遜色 | そんしょく | inferiority (usually in the negative) |
| 遜る | へりくだる | to humble oneself |
Example sentences
彼の作品は本物に遜色ない。
かれのさくひんはほんものにそんしょくない。
His work is in no way inferior to the real thing.
謙遜せずに実力を見せてほしい。
けんそんせずにじつりょくをみせてほしい。
I want you to show your real ability instead of being modest.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 遜色ない is a compliment meaning 'not inferior', despite 遜 meaning 'humble'.
- Reading 不遜 as ふそん, not ふけん.
Memory aid
Picture it
The road radical 辶 carrying 孫 (grandchild) — stepping back down the road the way a grandchild defers to elders.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 遜 mean?