📖 Meaning
To feel ashamed because one believes oneself inferior to others. It describes a sense of inadequacy or low self-esteem arising from unfavorable comparison with someone more capable, attractive, or accomplished.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from 'Shishuo Xinyu' (世说新语), a work compiled by Liu Yiqing of the Liu Song dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. In the chapter 'Rongzhi' (容止, 'Appearance and Bearing'), the phrase '珠玉在侧，觉我形秽' appears — meaning that when pearls and jade are beside one, one feels one's own appearance to be ugly. The metaphor compares a brilliant or beautiful companion to precious gems, making the observer painfully aware of his own shortcomings. Over time, the expression evolved into the four-character idiom 自惭形秽, used to convey feeling ashamed of one's own inadequacy in comparison to others.
💡 Example Usage
在众多才华横溢的选手面前，她自惭形秽，连一句话都不敢说。
Surrounded by so many talented contestants, she felt painfully inferior and didn't dare to say a word.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 自惭形秽
- Pinyin: zì cán xíng huì
- Literal Translation: self, ashamed, form, ugly
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4