modesty
/ˈmɒdəsti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːdəsti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmä-də-stē/ (ame, mw)
modesty — 名詞
1. The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills,
謙虛；謙遜
不誇耀自己成就的態度
The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills, achievements, or good qualities.
Despite winning two national awards, Dr. Okafor spoke about his work with genuine modesty.
儘管獲得兩項全國大獎，Okafor 博士仍以真誠的謙虛談論自己的工作。
collocation: with + [adjective] + modesty
Putri's modesty about her academic record made her even more respected by the faculty.
Putri 對自己學業成績的謙遜態度，讓她更受教職員尊敬。
pattern: modesty + about + [topic]
The young chef accepted the award with quiet modesty, thanking his whole team.
這位年輕廚師以平靜的謙虛接受獎項，並感謝整個團隊。
Daichi has achieved great wealth, yet he lives with remarkable modesty and never shows off.
Daichi 累積了巨額財富，卻以極為謙遜的方式生活，從不炫耀。
- humility
Focuses on a humble inner attitude rather than the act of not boasting; slightly broader in meaning.
- reserve
Emphasises quietness or restraint in general, not specifically about achievements.
- diffidence
Suggests a lack of self-confidence rather than a deliberate choice not to boast; often more negative in tone.
- arrogance
An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
- boastfulness
The habit of talking too proudly about oneself.
文法句型
modesty + about + noun phrase
with + modesty
possessive + modesty
用法筆記
Frequently used with prepositions like 'about' (modesty about one's achievements) and 'with' (with modesty). Often preceded by possessive determiners (his modesty, her natural modesty).
常見錯誤
2. A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself
不自誇
說自己好話時表謙虛的用語
A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself, to show that you do not wish to appear boastful.
In all modesty, I think I did a pretty good job on that project.
說句不自誇的話，我覺得那個案子我做得相當不錯。
fixed expression: in all modesty (sentence-opening)
Adina said, in all modesty, that her team had worked very hard to meet the deadline.
Adina 謙虛地說，她的團隊非常努力才趕上了截止期限。
fixed expression: in all modesty (parenthetical)
With all due modesty, I think this is the best report I have written.
說句不自誇的話，這是我寫過最好的報告。
Nkechi spoke with all due modesty when she described her role in the discovery.
Nkechi 談到她在這項發現中的角色時，語氣十分謙虛。
With all due modesty, our department handled the crisis remarkably well.
說句不自誇的話，我們部門處理這場危機處理得相當好。
- humbly speaking
Similar softening effect but less idiomatic and more direct.
- if I may say so myself
More informal; carries a slightly playful or self-aware tone.
文法句型
in all modesty (sentence adverbial)
with all due modesty
用法筆記
Primarily occurs in the fixed adverbial phrases 'in all modesty' or 'with all due modesty'. These expressions act as a polite softening device when the speaker needs to say something positive about themselves. Common in formal speeches, interviews, and professional settings.
常見錯誤
3. The standard of dressing and acting in a restrained, proper manner so as not to
端莊；檢點
衣著行為避免引起性注意的品質
The standard of dressing and acting in a restrained, proper manner so as not to invite sexual notice — a quality traditionally expected especially of women.
As Tanvi tried on sarees for the wedding, her mother reminded her that elders expected modesty in dress.
Tanvi 為婚禮試穿紗麗時，母親提醒她長輩期望衣著端莊。
collocation: modesty in dress
The school dress code emphasised modesty, requiring skirts to fall below the knee.
學校的服裝規定強調端莊，要求裙子長度要過膝。
Defne chose a dress with a high neckline out of a sense of personal modesty.
Defne 基於個人的端莊感，選擇了一件高領口的洋裝。
When Heloísa wore a short dress, her grandmother said standards of modesty had changed.
Heloísa 穿了一件短洋裝時，祖母說端莊的標準已經變了。
文法句型
modesty + in + noun phrase
sense of modesty
standards of modesty
用法筆記
Historically most often applied to women's dress and conduct, though it can be used more broadly. When applied to men, it typically describes restrained or conservative behaviour rather than clothing. Compare with sense 1, which focuses on humility about achievements rather than propriety of appearance.