humble

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is そん, and no kun reading is listed. It has 14 strokes and relates to a modest attitude and its opposite, an insolent attitude.
• Basic usage: 謙遜 is read けんそん, and 不遜 is read ふそん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 謙遜 / 不遜
  • 謙遜 means modesty or humility and is read けんそん. It refers to modesty, such as downplaying oneself after praise.
  • 褒められた彼は謙遜して首を横に振った。 means “When praised, he modestly shook his head.”
  • 不遜 means disrespectful or insolent and is read ふそん. It describes an insolent or disrespectful attitude toward a superior.
  • 目上の人を見下すような不遜な態度を改めた。 means “He corrected his insolent attitude toward his superiors.”