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鄙人 (bǐ rén) — (written, archaic, humble) I; your humble servant (self-deprecatory term used in letters or polite contexts)

Definition

Archaic, written self-reference meaning 'I' — used humbly in formal letters or speeches to modestly refer to oneself. Far more literary and self-deprecating than any spoken pronoun.

idiom
(written, archaic, humble) Iyour humble servant (self-deprecatory term used in letters or polite contexts)

Examples

  • 鄙人，。
    bǐ rén Bù cái, chéng méng xiān sheng hòu ài.
    I am unworthy, yet I am deeply grateful for your generosity, sir.
  • 鄙人，。
    Cǐ shì bǐ rén lüè zhī yī èr, yuàn yǔ zhū wèi fēn xiǎng.
    I happen to know a little about this matter and would like to share it with you all.
  • 鄙人，。
    bǐ rén Cái shū xué qiǎn, hái wàng duō duō zhǐ jiào.
    This humble servant is untalented and unlearned; I humbly ask for your guidance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

鄙bǐhumble
人rénperson

“鄙” suggests humble or lowly, and “人” means person, together forming a self-deprecatory way to refer to oneself.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 啚啚bǐborder town
  • 邑邑yìcity

鄙 began as 啚, a form for border town. It later adds 邑, a city, beside it.

Open 鄙 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →
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