‘Zì qiān’ literally means ‘self-humility’ — combining ‘zì’ (self) and ‘qiān’ (modesty, humility). It refers to the act of speaking modestly or self-deprecatingly about one’s own abilities, achievements, or status, especially in social or formal contexts where Chinese cultural norms emphasize humility and respect for others. This is not mere politeness but a deeply rooted communicative strategy to avoid appearing arrogant or boastful.

The verb is commonly used in written and formal spoken Chinese — for example, when introducing oneself in a speech, responding to praise, or describing someone’s demeanor in a biography or news report. It often appears with verbs like ‘表现’ (to demonstrate), ‘说’ (to say), or ‘态度’ (attitude), and may be modified by adverbs like ‘十分’ (very) or ‘略显’ (slightly). While it carries positive connotations of virtue and refinement, overuse or insincere self-deprecation can sometimes seem artificial or evasive.