# 妄自菲薄

wàng zì fěi bó

Undervalue oneself without good reason

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Presumptuously judge oneself slight and poor

**Register:** Encouraging · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Encourage realistic confidence instead of self-dismissal.

Not the same as recognizing a real weakness.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase describes a judgment made against oneself that goes further than the evidence supports. A person may assume they have no ability or deserve no opportunity, even before trying. Modern use often encourages someone not to give up through needless self criticism. Honest awareness of limits is different. The goal is an accurate view of both strengths and weaknesses, rather than replacing low confidence with exaggerated pride.

## Examples

别妄自菲薄，你已经进步很多。

### Traditional Chinese

別妄自菲薄，你已經進步很多。

bié wàng zì fěi bó ， nǐ yǐ jīng jìn bù hěn duō 。

Do not undervalue yourself; you have improved greatly.

她不再妄自菲薄，报名参赛。

### Traditional Chinese

她不再妄自菲薄，報名參賽。

tā bú zài wàng zì fěi bó ， bào míng cān sài 。

She stopped dismissing herself and entered the contest.

一次失败不必妄自菲薄。

### Traditional Chinese

一次失敗不必妄自菲薄。

yí cì shī bài bú bì wàng zì fěi bó 。

One failure is no reason to undervalue yourself.

他提醒新人不要妄自菲薄。

tā tí xǐng xīn rén bú yào wàng zì fěi bó 。

He reminds newcomers not to think too little of themselves.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%A6%84%E8%87%AA%E8%8F%B2%E8%96%84)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=208&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [温故知新 wēn gù zhī xīn Gain fresh insight by revisiting old knowledge ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wen-gu-zhi-xin)

- [无病呻吟 wú bìng shēn yín Complain without cause or display contrived sentiment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-bing-shen-yin)

- [无独有偶 wú dú yǒu ǒu A similar instance turns out to exist elsewhere ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-du-you-ou)

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