humble
gb/hˈʌmbəl/ us/hˈʌmbəl/
B1
Kiingereza
~ 2200
Maana
maana 0
adjective
B1
property
1
Modest about one's importance
Thinking you are not more important or better than other people.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[someone] is humble
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'poor' in all contexts. In this sense, it refers to attitude, not wealth.
Visawe
modest (Often used interchangeably, but 'modest' can also refer to moderation in appearance or claims, not just self-view.)
Vinyume
arrogant (Describes someone with an exaggerated sense of their own importance, the opposite of humble.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
humble attitude
|humble person
|remain humble
|truly humble
|humble nature
Mada
character
|emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- Despite his success, he remained humble and approachable.
- She gave a humble speech, thanking her team for the award.
- He is humble about his achievements, never boasting.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- My teacher is very humble.
- She is humble even though she is rich.
- He stays humble after winning the game.
adjective
B1
property
2
Low in rank or status
Having a low position in society or little money.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[someone/something] is humble
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may use 'humble' here to mean 'modest' in personality, when it refers instead to social/economic position.
Visawe
lowly (Emphasizes low rank or status, often more literary.)
Vinyume
privileged (Describes someone with advantages in wealth or status, opposite of lowly or humble in this sense.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
humble origins
|humble background
|humble beginnings
Mada
society
|status
|core_vocabulary
|business
|work
Mifano
- He came from humble beginnings but built a successful company.
- Her parents had humble jobs but valued education.
- The project started in a humble workshop.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I grew up in a humble village.
- She has a humble house in the countryside.
- He is from a humble family.
Kitenzi
B2
action
3
Make someone feel less proud
To make someone lose their pride or feel less important.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to humble [someone]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'embarrass'; 'humble' may not involve shame but rather perspective change.
Visawe
humiliate ('Humiliate' often implies public shame; 'humble' can be gentler and not necessarily public.)
Vinyume
encourage (To build someone's confidence, opposite of making them feel less important.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
humble an opponent
|humbled by defeat
|experience that humbles
Mada
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- The loss humbled the champion.
- Traveling to poor regions humbled her perspective on life.
- He was humbled by the generosity of strangers.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The game humbled the team.
- I was humbled by her kindness.
- Losing the match humbled him.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
humble
IPA
GB/hˈʌmbəl/
US/hˈʌmbəl/
Silabi na mkazo
humble (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (humble)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: humble
- Comparative: humbler
- Superlative: humblest
Verb
- Base: humble
- 3rd Person Singular: humbles
- Present Participle: humbling
- Past: humbled
Familia ya neno
Semi
in my humble opinion
1/ˈɪn mˈaɪ hˈʌmbəl əpˈɪnjən/
fixed phrase
informal
Polite way to share opinion
A polite way to say what you think.
Mifano
- In my humble opinion, this is his best book yet.
- Well, in my humble opinion, we should wait before deciding.
eat humble pie
1/ˈit hˈʌmbəl pˈaɪ/
idiom
informal
To admit you were wrong and apologize humbly
To say you were wrong and be sorry after someone shows you are wrong.
Mifano
- After the mistake was discovered, he had to eat humble pie in front of the team.
- After the argument, he had to eat humble pie and apologize.
- She refused to admit her error until the evidence forced her to eat humble pie.
- She was forced to eat humble pie when her plan failed.
eat humble pie
2/ˈit hˈʌmbəl pˈaɪ/
idiom
admit you were wrong
To admit you were wrong and say you are sorry, especially after strongly saying you were right.
Mifano
- After the report came out, the manager had to eat humble pie and apologize to the team.
- The critics ate humble pie when the movie became a huge success.
- He laughed at her idea, but later he ate humble pie when it worked perfectly.