卑しい

いやしい
Alternative writings: 賤しい, 鄙しい
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

Lowborn or humble in status; can also mean having a low or base attitude (not purely modesty).

I-Adjective

Examples

彼は自分の卑しい出自を気にしているようだ。

He seems to be bothered by his humble origins.

卑しい態度で人にすり寄るのは好ましくない。

It's not nice to cozy up to people with a servile attitude.

昔は『卑しい』という言葉が身分を差すこともあった。

In the past, the word '卑しい' was sometimes used to indicate social rank.

2

Vulgar, coarse, or despicable; behavior or language that is mean, base, or morally low.

I-Adjective

Examples

そんな卑しい嘘をつくべきではない。

You shouldn't tell such a despicable lie.

卑しい言葉遣いは信用を失う原因になる。

Vulgar language can cause you to lose trust.

相手を見下すような卑しい態度は止めなさい。

Stop that mean, condescending behavior toward others.

3

Shabby or poor-looking; appearing worn-out or inferior in appearance.

I-Adjective

Examples

その家は外観が卑しく、長年手入れされていないようだった。

The house looked shabby, as if it hadn't been maintained for years.

卑しい服装で面接に来るのは避けたほうがいい。

You should avoid coming to an interview in shabby clothes.

部屋のインテリアが卑しいと感じられた。

I felt the room's decor was shabby.

4

Greedy or gluttonous; having strong, grasping desires (for food, money, etc.).

I-Adjective

Examples

彼は卑しいまでに金に執着する。

He clings to money to a shameful degree.

食べ物に卑しい態度を取るのは見苦しい。

It's unattractive to behave greedily toward food.

卑しい欲望に流されず、節度を保ちなさい。

Don't be carried away by base desires; keep self-control.