妄自菲薄 wàng zì fěi bó belittle oneself

Explanation

妄自菲薄的意思是过分看轻自己，形容自卑。它强调的是一种消极的自我评价，缺乏自信和对自身能力的认可。

Wang zi fei bo means to excessively underestimate oneself, describing self-abasement. It emphasizes a negative self-evaluation, a lack of self-confidence and recognition of one's own abilities.

Origin Story

话说三国时期，蜀汉丞相诸葛亮，为了北伐大业，呕心沥血，鞠躬尽瘁。临行前，他写下著名的《出师表》，其中一句“不宜妄自菲薄”更是千古名句。诸葛亮深知蜀汉国力弱小，但从未妄自菲薄，他始终相信凭借自己的才智和蜀汉将士的努力，能够完成光复汉室的大业。他告诫后主刘禅，要励精图治，不可轻视自己，更不能自暴自弃。诸葛亮的一生，就是对“妄自菲薄”最好的反面教材，他以自己的行动，诠释了什么是真正的自信和担当。诸葛亮的故事流传至今，警示着后世人们要相信自己，努力奋斗，切勿妄自菲薄，才能成就一番事业。

huà shuō sānguó shíqī, shǔ hàn chéngxiàng zhūgě liàng, wèi le běi fá dàyè, ǒuxīn lǐxuè, jūgōng jìncuì. lín xíng qián, tā xiě xià zhùmíng de chū shī biǎo, qízhōng yījù bù yī wàng zì fěi bó gèng shì qiānguǐ míngjù. zhūgě liàng shēn zhī shǔ hàn guólì ruòxiǎo, dàn cóng wèi wàng zì fěi bó, tā shǐzhōng xiāngxìn píngjí zìjǐ de cáizhì hé shǔ hàn jiàngshì de nǔlì, nénggòu wánchéng guāngfù hàn shì de dàyè. tā gàogiè hòu zhǔ liú chán, yào lìjīng tú zhì, bù kě qīngshì zìjǐ, gèng bù néng zì bào zì qì. zhūgě liàng de yī shēng, jiùshì duì wàng zì fěi bó zuì hǎo de fǎn miàn jiàocái, tā yǐ zìjǐ de xíngdòng, qiǎnshì le shì shénme zhēnzhèng de zìxìn hé dāndāng. zhūgě liàng de gùshì liúchuán zhì jīn, jǐngshì zhè hòushì rénmen yào xiāngxìn zìjǐ, nǔlì fèndòu, qiēwù wàng zì fěi bó, cáinéng chéngjiù yīfān shìyè.

During the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China, Zhuge Liang, the chancellor of Shu Han, devoted all his energy and efforts to the northern expedition. Before his departure, he wrote the famous "Statement of the Chancellor," in which the sentence "one should not belittle oneself" became a timeless saying. Zhuge Liang was fully aware that Shu Han was a weak kingdom, but he never belittled himself. He always believed that with his talent and the efforts of the Shu Han soldiers, he could achieve the great goal of restoring the Han Dynasty. He warned Emperor Liu Shan to govern diligently, not to despise himself, and never to give up. The life of Zhuge Liang is the best counterexample to "Wang Zi Fei Bo," illustrating through his actions what true self-confidence and responsibility entail. Zhuge Liang's story has been passed down to this day, warning later generations to believe in themselves, work hard, and never belittle themselves in order to accomplish a great career.

Usage

用于形容过分看轻自己，缺乏自信。常用于批评或劝诫他人，提醒他们要自信自强。

yòng yú xiāo róng guò fèn kàn qīng zìjǐ, quēfá zìxìn. cháng yòng yú pīpíng huò quànjiè tārén, tíxǐng tāmen yào zìxìn zìqiáng

Used to describe excessively underestimating oneself and lacking self-confidence. Often used to criticize or admonish others, reminding them to be self-confident and strong.

Examples

• 他总是妄自菲薄，不敢尝试新的挑战。

  tā zǒng shì wàng zì fěi bó, bù gǎn chángshì xīn de tiǎozhàn

  He always belittles himself and does not dare to try new challenges.

• 不要妄自菲薄，你的能力远比你想象的要强。

  bú yào wàng zì fěi bó, nǐ de nénglì yuǎn bǐ nǐ xiǎngxiàng de yào qiáng

  Don't belittle yourself, your ability is far stronger than you think.

• 他过于妄自菲薄，以致错过了许多机会。

  tā guò yú wàng zì fěi bó, yǐ zhì cuòguò le xǔ duō jīhuì

  He belittled himself too much, thus missing many opportunities.

Related Idioms

• 自卑

• 自谦

• 自贬

Opposite Idioms

• 目中无人

• 自高自大

• 骄傲自满