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道Nihongo Path

不肖

ふしょう

unworthy (humble self-reference)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 不肖ながら務めさせていただきます。

    ふしょうながらつとめさせていただきます。

    Unworthy as I am, I will serve.

  2. 不肖私が司会を担当いたします。

    ふしょうわたくしがしかいをたんとういたします。

    Unworthy though I am, I will act as master of ceremonies.

  3. 不肖の弟子で申し訳ありません。

    ふしょうのでしでもうしわけありません。

    I am sorry to be such an unworthy pupil.

Common patterns

不肖ながら
unworthy as I am
不肖私
unworthy me
不肖の息子
a son who does not live up to his father

Memory tip

Literally 'not resembling' — not living up to one's parent or teacher. As 不肖私 it works as a humble 'I'; as 不肖の息子 it describes a son who has disappointed the family.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 不肖 mean?