Meaning
The kanji 卑 (ひ, HI; いや.しい, iya.shii) primarily expresses meanings related to being low in status, humble, base, vulgar, or despicable. It refers to inferiority, meanness, and abjectness, often carrying negative connotations when describing character or actions.
However, 卑 can also signify humility when used to refer to oneself in formal contexts, such as in terms like 卑見 (hiken, 'my humble opinion').
While its etymological roots are debated, one prominent theory suggests 卑 is an ancient character depicting a hand holding a broom or a similar tool. This imagery symbolizes someone engaged in menial or low-status labor, directly connecting to the idea of being "lowly" or "humble." Another view sees it as an ideograph formed from components that collectively suggest something "down low" or "inferior." Regardless of the precise original elements, the character's long history has solidified its association with concepts of lowness, humility, and baseness.
Visually, the kanji 卑 consists of nine strokes. Though it doesn't clearly depict a broom or a low object in its modern form, its structure has evolved to efficiently represent these abstract ideas. It is a Grade 8 kanji, taught at the secondary school level in Japan, reflecting its advanced usage and nuanced meanings.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 卑 is ヒ (HI). This reading is almost exclusively found in compound words, where it conveys meanings of lowliness, meanness, or humility. Combined with other kanji, it forms many terms for character flaws, humble self-references, or material classifications.
- 卑劣 (hiretsu) — despicable, mean, base. This describes actions or character that are morally reprehensible and low. For instance, 彼の卑劣な行為 (kare no hiretsu na kōi, 'his despicable act').
- 卑屈 (hikutsu) — servile, obsequious, cringing. It characterizes an overly submissive or fawning attitude, often driven by a sense of inferiority.
- 卑下 (hige) — humility, self-abasement, self-deprecation. This refers to humbling oneself, often excessively, to show deference. For example, 自分の能力を卑下する (jibun no nōryoku wo hige suru, 'to deprecate one's own abilities').
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) for 卑 are primarily いや.しい (iya.shii), いや.しむ (iya.shimu), and いや.しめる (iya.shimeru). These readings are used when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名), and they often carry stronger emotional or descriptive weight than the On'yomi.
- 卑しい (iyashii) — This i-adjective means humble, lowly, vulgar, ignoble, or greedy. It can describe a person's social status, character, appearance, or even manners. For example, 卑しい心 (iyashii kokoro) means a vulgar or greedy heart, and 卑しい行い (iyashii okonai) refers to ignoble behavior.
- 卑しむ (iyashimu) — This transitive verb means to despise, to disdain, or to look down upon. It refers to regarding someone or something as inferior. For example, 人を卑しむ (hito wo iyashimu) means to look down on people, or 金銭を卑しむ (kinsen wo iyashimu, 'to despise money').
- 卑しめる (iyashimeru) — This transitive verb also means to disgrace, to humiliate, or to debase. It implies an action that brings shame or lowers one's dignity, sometimes done to oneself. For example, 自分を卑しめる (jibun wo iyashimeru) means to debase or humiliate oneself.
Common Words & Compounds
You'll find 卑 in many compound words, adding nuances of status, character, and action to Japanese vocabulary. These compounds often reflect its core meanings of lowness, meanness, or humility.
- Status & Character:
- 卑劣 (hiretsu) — meanness, baseness, despicable. This term is often used to describe morally corrupt actions or individuals.
- 卑屈 (hikutsu) — servile, obsequious, cringing. It characterizes a person who acts overly submissive.
- 卑下 (hige) — humility, self-abasement, self-deprecation. Used when one speaks humbly of oneself or puts oneself down.
- 卑しい (iyashii) — vulgar, greedy, base. Can describe someone with poor manners or a covetous nature.
- 卑怯 (hikyō) — cowardice, meanness. Refers to a lack of courage or a dishonest act.
- Actions & Attitudes:
- 卑しむ (iyashimu) — to despise, to disdain. To hold in contempt.
- 卑しめる (iyashimeru) — to disgrace, to humiliate. To cause someone to lose dignity.
- 卑猥 (hiwai) — obscene, vulgar, indecent. Describes language or behavior that is offensive.
- Specific Contexts:
- 卑金属 (hikinzoku) — base metal. In chemistry, this refers to common, less valuable metals, as opposed to precious metals like gold or silver.
- 卑見 (hiken) — my humble opinion. A humble way of referring to one's own opinion in formal speech.
- 卑俗 (hizoku) — vulgar, common, lowbrow. Describes something that lacks refinement or sophistication.
Example Sentences
彼は卑しい心を持っている。
Kare wa iyashii kokoro wo motte iru.
He has a vulgar heart.
どんな仕事も卑しむべきではない。
Donna shigoto mo iyashimu beki dewa nai.
No job should be looked down upon.
自分の失敗を卑下する必要はない。
Jibun no shippai wo hige suru hitsuyō wa nai.
There is no need to deprecate your own failures.
その卑劣な行為に憤りを感じた。
Sono hiretsu na kōi ni ikari wo kanjita.
I felt indignant at that despicable act.
彼の卑屈な態度にはうんざりする。
Kare no hikutsu na taido ni wa unzari suru.
I'm fed up with his servile attitude.
彼は他人の努力を卑しめる傾向がある。
Kare wa tanin no doryoku wo iyashimeru keikō ga aru.
He tends to disparage other people's efforts.
卑金属は錆びやすい性質を持っている。
Hikinzoku wa sabiyasui seishitsu wo motte iru.
Base metals have a tendency to rust easily.
彼は自分の意見を卑見として述べた。
Kare wa jibun no iken wo hiken to shite nobeta.
He expressed his opinion as his humble view.
卑怯な手を使って勝利しても意味がない。
Hikyō na te wo tsukatte shōri shite mo imi ga nai.
There's no meaning in winning by using cowardly tactics.
Memory Tip
To recall 卑, picture a small, humble person working in a low position. Break down the kanji into its components: the top part (十, jū, meaning ten or cross) and the bottom part (甲, kō, meaning helmet, shell, or first).
Imagine a lowly worker, perhaps sweeping, with a tiny, crude 'helmet' (甲) on their head, barely visible, emphasizing their 'low' status. Alternatively, consider the 十 as the handle of a simple broom, with 甲 as the brush head, symbolizing menial, 'base' labor. This imagery of something 'low' or 'humble' helps reinforce 卑's core meaning.