Chinese idiom · 成语
自惭形秽
Meaning
Self-ashamed of one’s form; feeling inferior.
Character by character
Origin and story
Traditional anecdoteThe Appearance chapter of A New Account of Tales of the World describes Wang Ji, also called Wang Wuzi, as handsome and distinguished. Yet whenever he saw his nephew Wei Jie, he reportedly felt diminished by the comparison. He likened the young man's presence to pearls and jade beside him, making his own appearance seem shabby. The source's wording is 覺我形穢, from which the familiar expression developed.
The force of the anecdote lies in the contrast: even an admired man could feel ordinary beside someone he regarded as exceptional. Later usage extends beyond physical looks to talent, learning, clothing, or social confidence. It describes a feeling of inferiority, not proof that the person actually has less worth.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
看到同事们精彩的作品，她一度自惭形秽，后来决定虚心学习。
Seeing her colleagues' impressive work made her feel inferior for a time; later she decided to learn from them.
Describes feeling inadequate beside others, not necessarily physical unattractiveness.