逊 xùn humble
humble; modest
How to remember 逊: 辶 walking + 孙 grandchild = humble. The famous marathon runner is walking home with her grandchild, and when fans stop her she just smiles, humble as always.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
逊 = 辶 walking + 孙 grandchild
- 辶 walking meaning
- 孙 grandchild sound
- 子 child
- 小 small
The famous marathon runner is walking home with her grandchild, and when fans stop her she just smiles, humble as always.
How it came to be
Walking gives the meaning and the grandchild the sound.
How it is used
- Two linked senses: 'modest/humble' in 谦逊 (qiānxùn), and 'inferior to' in 逊色 (xùnsè).
- 逊色 usually appears in the negative 毫不逊色 (háobú xùnsè) 'in no way inferior': 这部电影毫不逊色于原著 (this film is every bit as good as the original novel).
- Slangily, 逊 alone can mean 'lame/weak' (esp. in Taiwan usage): 你太逊了 you're so lame.