Meaning
自卑 describes the psychological state of feeling inferior to others or having low self-worth. It combines 自 (self) and 卑 (low/humble) to literally mean 'self-lowering.' This term is commonly used in psychology and everyday conversation to describe someone who lacks confidence or constantly compares themselves unfavorably to others.
Usage
自卑 can function as both an adjective (feeling inferior) and a noun (inferiority complex). It's often paired with 感 to form 自卑感 (sense of inferiority). Native speakers use it to describe personality traits, emotional states, or psychological conditions. It carries a negative connotation and is often discussed in the context of personal development, relationships, or mental health.
Examples
- 01他因为家庭条件不好而感到自卑。.He feels inferior because of his poor family circumstances.
- 02我们要帮助孩子克服自卑心理，建立自信。, .We need to help children overcome their inferiority complex and build self-confidence.
Characters
Common collocations
- 自卑感sense of inferiority
- 感到自卑to feel inferior
- 自卑心理inferiority mentality
- 克服自卑to overcome inferiority complex
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 自 (self) with 卑 (low/base), creating a term that literally means to consider oneself low or inferior. The character 卑 originally depicted a low-status person, reinforcing the concept of inferiority.