About
The character "逊", whose traditional form is "遜", is etymologically constructed from the component 孫 (sūn), meaning "descendant" or "grandchild", combined with the radical 辵 (chuò), which denotes movement or walking. This structure originally conveyed the idea of a successor stepping aside or yielding, implying a sense of deferential retreat or humility in the face of a rightful heir. Over time, its meaning expanded from this concrete notion of physical or social deference to encompass more abstract qualities of modesty and humility. The character further developed to denote a shortfall or falling short of a standard, as in being inferior or lacking, and eventually acquired its common verbal sense of conceding or yielding in an argument. The simplified form "逊" replaced the complex 孫 with the simpler 孙, but the core conceptual linkage to yielding and modesty remains intact within its modern usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他是个谦逊的人。
她的表演毫不逊色。
这款产品逊于竞争对手。
他的态度总是很谦逊。
在才华上，他略逊一筹。
新版本的功能并不逊色于旧版本。
尽管他很有成就，但为人十分谦逊，从不炫耀。
在质量方面，这种材料显然逊于另一种，但价格更有优势。