Meaning
贬低 means to deliberately lower someone's status, worth, or achievements, or to speak negatively about something to make it seem less valuable or important. It carries a negative connotation and implies unfair or unjust criticism. The word can be used for people, accomplishments, ideas, or objects.
Usage
This verb is typically used in formal or written contexts when describing criticism or disparagement. It often appears with 被 (bèi) in passive constructions when someone is being belittled by others. Common patterns include 贬低某人 (to belittle someone) and 贬低自己 (to put oneself down). The word suggests intentional negativity rather than honest evaluation.
Examples
- 01他总是贬低别人的成就来抬高自己。.He always belittles others' achievements to elevate himself.
- 02不要贬低自己的努力，你已经做得很好了。, .Don't belittle your own efforts; you've already done very well.
Characters
Common collocations
- 贬低自己to belittle oneself
- 贬低别人to belittle others
- 被贬低to be belittled
- 故意贬低to deliberately belittle
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 贬 (to diminish or demote) with 低 (low), literally meaning 'to lower down.' The character 贬 originally referred to reducing someone's official rank or status.