好词典

modesty

UK //ˈmɒd.ə.sti//US //ˈmɑː.də.sti//

词源

源自拉丁语 modestia(适度、节制),通过古法语 modestie 进入英语。词根 modus 意为'尺度'或'限度'。

noun

❶ 谦虚的品质,指不过分夸耀自己的能力或成就,保持低调的态度。常用于描述个人品德或行为方式。

“Her modesty prevented her from accepting the praise.”

(她的谦虚使她不愿接受赞扬。)

“Despite his success, he always speaks with modesty.”

(尽管取得了成功,他说话时总是很谦虚。)

❶ 端庄或得体,特指在穿着或行为上避免暴露或夸张的表现。常用于描述符合社会礼仪的保守态度。

“The school enforces a dress code to promote modesty.”

(学校推行着装规范以提倡端庄得体。)

“In some cultures, modesty requires covering one's shoulders in public.”

(在某些文化中,端庄要求在公共场合遮住肩膀。)

同义词:humility, reserve, decency, propriety, unpretentiousness

常见短语

false modesty — 假装谦虚,表面上贬低自己实则希望获得称赞的行为。常用于批评虚伪的谦逊表现。

“When she said she was 'just lucky', it sounded like false modesty.”

(当她说自己'只是运气好'时,听起来像是假谦虚。)

in all modesty — 谦虚地说,用于委婉地陈述成就时。这个短语暗示说话者不想显得自夸。

“In all modesty, I think my team made the biggest contribution.”

(谦虚地说,我认为我的团队贡献最大。)