modestly
/ˈmɒdɪstli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːdɪstli/ (ame, ipa)
modestly — 副詞
1. to a small or moderate extent; not by a large amount, nor at a high price — for
適度地；簡樸
規模、程度不大或價格不貴
to a small or moderate extent; not by a large amount, nor at a high price — for example, sales that grow only a little, or a hotel room that costs a reasonable amount.
The restaurant was modestly priced, so the Watanabe family could eat there every week.
這間餐廳價格適中，渡邊一家每週都能去那裡吃飯。
modestly + past participle (priced) for affordable cost
Hiro's grades improved modestly after he started studying with a tutor.
Hiro 開始跟家教學習後，成績略有進步。
modestly + verb of change (improved)
The company's sales grew only modestly in the third quarter of last year.
該公司去年第三季的銷售額僅小幅成長。
Mr. and Mrs. Chen live modestly on a small pension from the city government.
陳先生和陳太太靠市政府微薄的退休金，過著簡樸的生活。
The hotel room was modestly furnished but very clean and comfortable.
那間旅館房間佈置簡單，但非常乾淨舒適。
- reasonably
focuses on fair price rather than small size or degree
- slightly
suggests a smaller degree than modestly; often negative in tone
- humbly
shared spelling with sense 2 but in this context means 'simply'
- greatly
implies a large extent or degree
- extravagantly
suggests high spending rather than moderate cost
文法句型
modestly + verb (grew/improved)
modestly + past participle (priced/furnished)
用法筆記
Commonly collocates with past participles describing cost or size (priced, furnished, decorated) and verbs of change (increase, grow, improve).
常見錯誤
2. showing a lack of vanity about your talents or accomplishments — for example, re
謙虛地；謙遜
不自誇自身能力或成就
showing a lack of vanity about your talents or accomplishments — for example, replying to a compliment by saying you simply did what anyone else would have done.
When asked about her award, Anong replied modestly that she had only done her job.
當被問到獲獎感想時，Anong 謙虛地表示她只是盡了自己的本分。
verb of speaking + modestly (replied modestly)
Liam spoke modestly about his role in the rescue, giving credit to his teammates.
Liam 謙虛地談論自己在救援行動中的角色，把功勞歸給隊友。
Dr. Okafor modestly declined to put his name on the research paper.
Okafor 醫師婉拒將自己的名字列入那篇研究論文中。
The author described her latest novel modestly as "a small story about ordinary people."
那位作家謙虛地將她的最新小說描述為「一部關於平凡人的小故事」。
- humbly
very close in meaning; humbly can include a sense of low social rank
- unassumingly
more formal; suggests not drawing attention to oneself at all
- self-effacingly
suggests almost avoiding attention entirely, sometimes with humour
- boastfully
talking with excessive pride about oneself
- proudly
can be neutral but contrasts sharply with modesty in this sense
文法句型
verb of speaking + modestly (said/replied/spoke)
modestly + verb of declining/describing
用法筆記
Often pairs with verbs of communication (say, reply, speak, describe, mention). The opposite behaviour is 'boastfully' or 'proudly'.
常見錯誤
3. covering most of the body and avoiding styles meant to draw romantic notice — li
端莊地；保守
衣著不暴露或不引人注意
covering most of the body and avoiding styles meant to draw romantic notice — like clothes with long sleeves and skirts below the knee.
Saira always dresses modestly, wearing long skirts and tops with sleeves.
Saira 總是穿得很端莊，長裙搭配有袖子的上衣。
verb + modestly (dresses modestly) for clothing habits
The school requires all students to dress modestly during sports events and ceremonies.
學校要求所有學生在體育活動和典禮期間衣著端莊。
Élise chose a modestly cut dress for the formal dinner party her grandparents attended.
Élise 為祖父母出席的正式晚宴挑選了一件剪裁保守的洋裝。
In many cultures, men and women are expected to behave modestly in places of worship.
在許多文化中，男性和女性在宗教場所都應舉止端莊。
- conservatively
emphasises traditional or conventional standards of dress
- decently
focuses on covering enough to meet social standards of propriety
- demurely
suggests a quiet, shy manner in addition to modest dress
- provocatively
dressing or behaving in a way intended to attract sexual attention
- revealingly
wearing clothing that shows a lot of the body
文法句型
verb + modestly (dress/behave)
modestly + past participle (cut/chosen)
用法筆記
Particularly common in discussions of dress codes, religious customs, and conservative social norms. The focus is on outward appearance and conduct rather than inner attitude.