惭 cán ashamed
ashamed; humiliated
How to remember 惭: 忄 heart + 斩 to chop = ashamed. Trying to chop onions like a TV chef, Ben cuts the tablecloth in half, and his heart sinks as he stands there ashamed.
Component breakdown
惭 = 忄 heart + 斩 to chop
- 忄 heart
- 斩 to chop
Trying to chop onions like a TV chef, Ben cuts the tablecloth in half, and his heart sinks as he stands there ashamed.
How it is used
- Bound; ashamed, mainly in 惭愧 (cánkuì) - to feel ashamed/abashed: 我很惭愧 (wǒ hěn cánkuì) I'm truly ashamed.
- 惭愧 often works as a modest deflection of praise - 'you flatter me, I don't deserve it.'
- 大言不惭 (dàyán-bùcán) = to boast shamelessly.