Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
겸손 gyeom-son
Humility — the social glue of Korean conversation
What does 겸손 mean?
겸손 (gyeom-son) means: Humility — the social glue of Korean conversation.
Not just simply being polite, but a strategic tool used to adjust the invisible hierarchy between oneself and others.
🔊 From the story above
겸손 — Gyeom-son
감사합니다 — gamsahamnida, "thank you"
과찬 — Gwa-chan
아직 멀었어요 — ajik meol-eosseoyo, "I still have a long way to go"
멀었다 — meol-eot-da
덕분 — deok-bun, "thanks to / grace of"
부족하다 — Bujok-hada
손사래 — sonsarae, "waving the hand side to side in refusal"
Other sides of 겸손
◆ The Compliment-Shield Ritual — When a native says '아니에요' to a compliment, they aren't necessarily fishing for more praise—it’s an involuntary social knee-jerk. Direct acceptance ('맞아요, 저 잘해요') reads as arrogance and punctures the cooperative mood. Master learners realize that *gyeom-son* here functions as a verbal airbag, absorbing the kinetic energy of praise so nobody in the room feels socially alienated.
◆ Corporate Coachability — Foreign learners think '겸손' means modest, but in an office setting, it’s less about a virtue and more about professional compliance. When a boss tells you to show '겸손,' they don’t want you to actually feel small—they want you to look eager to absorb their wisdom without talking back. Dropping this word in an interview tells management you understand how to bow your head gracefully and accept feedback without ego.
◆ The Humblebrag Callout — While textbooks teach you that '겸손' means pure, virtuous humility, modern native speakers use the verb form '겸손 떨다' with a heavy side-eye. When an influencer posts a mirror selfie complaining that their face looks fat, or a friend who aced an exam says they're 'so stupid,' natives don't buy the modesty. Calling it out as '겸손' isn't praise—it’s a playful, sharp-tongued challenge that translates to: 'Stop fishing for compliments, we see right through your flex.'
◆ Corporate Coachability — Foreign learners think '겸손' means modest, but in an office setting, it’s less about a virtue and more about professional compliance. When a boss tells you to show '겸손,' they don’t want you to actually feel small—they want you to look eager to absorb their wisdom without talking back. Dropping this word in an interview tells management you understand how to bow your head gracefully and accept feedback without ego.
◆ The Humblebrag Callout — While textbooks teach you that '겸손' means pure, virtuous humility, modern native speakers use the verb form '겸손 떨다' with a heavy side-eye. When an influencer posts a mirror selfie complaining that their face looks fat, or a friend who aced an exam says they're 'so stupid,' natives don't buy the modesty. Calling it out as '겸손' isn't praise—it’s a playful, sharp-tongued challenge that translates to: 'Stop fishing for compliments, we see right through your flex.'
How it's actually used
- 그분은 실력도 좋으신데 늘 겸손한 태도를 유지하셔요.
geobun-eun sillyeokdo jo-eusineun-de neul gyeomson-han taedoreul yuji-hasyeoyo.
He is very capable, yet he always maintains a humble attitude.
💡 Praised as a virtue, especially when acknowledging someone's high status or skill. - 한국 사회에서는 잘해도 겸손하게 자신을 낮추는 게 미덕이에요.
hanguk sahoeseoneun jalhaedo gyeomson-hage jasineul nachuneun ge mideogieyo.
In Korean society, lowering yourself with humility even when you do well is considered a virtue.
💡 Reflects the cultural expectation to downplay one's achievements to maintain social harmony. - 한국 사회에서는 실력이 좋아도 어느 정도 겸손을 떨어야 눈총을 안 받아요.
Hanguk sahwieseoneo silryeogi joado eoneu jeongdo gyeomson-eul tteoreoya nunchong-eul an badayo.
In Korean society, even if you're skilled, you have to show a bit of humility to avoid drawing resentment.
💡 Humility is used strategically to manage social friction.
Related words in Culture & Language
과찬 gwa-chan멀었다 meol-eot-da덕분 deok-bun들뜨다 deul-tteu-da기대되다 gi-dae-doe-da