Spanish word

modestia

Pronunciation

IPA/moˈðestja/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmodesty

Example

Su modestia hace que todos la respeten.

Her modesty makes everyone respect her.

Illustration for modestia (modesty)

More examples

Habla de sus logros con modestia.

He talks about his achievements modestly.

Core concept

A person looking down quietly when praised.

Common phrases

  • con modestia

    modestly

  • mostrar modestia

    display modesty

  • falta de modestia

    absence of modesty

Similar words

humildad: Minimizes personal achievements and credits others for success.
reserva: Keeps inner thoughts private and behaves cautiously in social situations.
discreción: Restrains speech and actions according to the situation and chooses words carefully.

Definition in Spanish

Actitud o cualidad de quien muestra reserva, no presume y reconoce sus propios límites.

Word origin

From Latin modestia via modestus 'restrained', ultimately from modus 'measure', so the word denotes controlled, reserved conduct.

Usage tips

  • When praised in Spanish, a brief 'gracias' and redirecting the topic shows modestia more naturally than lengthy self-commentary.

Other meanings

  • reservenoun
  • humilitynoun

Opposites

  • vanidadvanitynoun
  • soberbiaarrogancenoun

Related words

  • modestomodestadjective
  • modestamentemodestlyadverb

Word lists with this word