# 自惭形秽

zì cán xíng huì

Feel ashamed of being inferior

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Feel one's own appearance is shabby

**Traditional Chinese:** 自慚形穢

**Register:** Emotional · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe painful inadequacy beside someone admired.

The comparison may be subjective or unfair.

## Understanding the expression

The image begins with someone feeling shabby beside a more impressive presence. Modern use extends beyond appearance to knowledge, skill, manners, or achievement. The person becomes painfully aware of a perceived gap and may feel unworthy of company. The phrase reports that feeling rather than proving inferiority. Comparison can overlook different circumstances and strengths, so reassurance may help the person judge themselves more fairly instead of retreating in shame.

## Examples

面对高手，他自惭形秽。

### Traditional Chinese

面對高手，他自慚形穢。

miàn duì gāo shǒu ， tā zì cán xíng huì 。

Beside the expert, he felt inadequate.

她听完演奏，忽然自惭形秽。

### Traditional Chinese

她聽完演奏，忽然自慚形穢。

tā tīng wán yǎn zòu ， hū rán zì cán xíng huì 。

After hearing the performance, she suddenly felt inferior.

别拿别人的成绩让自己自惭形秽。

### Traditional Chinese

別拿別人的成績讓自己自慚形穢。

bié ná bié rén de chéng jì ràng zì jǐ zì cán xíng huì 。

Do not let others' achievements make you feel ashamed.

朋友的鼓励减轻了他的自惭形秽。

### Traditional Chinese

朋友的鼓勵減輕了他的自慚形穢。

péng yǒu de gǔ lì jiǎn qīng le tā de zì cán xíng huì 。

His friend's encouragement eased his sense of inadequacy.

## 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=%E8%87%AA%E6%85%9A%E5%BD%A2%E7%A9%A2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=209&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [左顾右盼 zuǒ gù yòu pàn Look around from side to side ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zuo-gu-you-pan)

- [坐井观天 zuò jǐng guān tiān Judge the world from a tiny perspective ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zuo-jing-guan-tian)

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