卑 bēi inferior
humble; low; inferior
How it came to be
会意 · Meaning + meaning
Two or more parts whose meanings together make the new meaning.
The oldest form shows a hand holding a fan, the sign of a servant.
用法
- Low/humble in status, or base in character: 卑微 (bēiwēi) lowly, 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) despicable, 自卑 (zìbēi) to feel inferior.
- 自卑 is the key everyday word: an inferiority complex, feeling small, opposite of 自信 (self-confidence), 充满自信 (chōngmǎn zìxìn) full of confidence.
- 谦卑 (qiānbēi) = humble (positive), but 卑鄙 = morally base (negative): the tone flips with the pairing.