自愧不如 (zì kuì bù rú) — to feel ashamed of one's inferiority compared to someone else; to acknowledge one's inadequacy with shame

Definition

A formal chengyu for 'to feel ashamed of one's own inferiority when comparing oneself to someone better'. It frames the gap between yourself and another person — you come up short, not just a little.

idiom
to feel ashamed of one's inferiority compared to someone elseto acknowledge one's inadequacy with shame

Examples

  • 自愧不如
    Tā de gāng qín tán dé nà me hǎo, wǒ zhēn shì zì kuì bù rú.
    He plays the piano so well; I really feel ashamed of my inferiority.
  • 自愧不如
    Zài xiě zuò fāng miàn, wǒ duì tā zì kuì bù rú.
    In terms of writing, I feel ashamed that I am not as good as him.
  • 自愧不如
    Xiāng bǐ zhī xià, wǒ zì kuì bù rú le.
    By comparison, I feel ashamed of my inferiority.

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