modesty
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modesty
The quality of not putting one's own abilities and successes in the foreground and of not having exaggerated demands.
Trotz seines Reichtums war er für seine große Bescheidenheit bekannt.
Despite his wealth, he was known for his great modesty.
modesty
A simple, non-luxurious lifestyle or state.
Sie wuchsen in Bescheidenheit auf und lernten, mit wenig zufrieden zu sein.
They grew up in modesty and learned to be content with little.
The word is derived from the adjective 'bescheiden' (modest). The ending '-heit' is a typical German suffix that turns adjectives into feminine nouns describing a quality or state.
Seine Bescheidenheit macht ihn sehr sympathisch.
His modesty makes him very likable.
As an abstract noun, 'Bescheidenheit' (modesty) is used almost exclusively in the singular. The plural 'Bescheidenheiten' is extremely rare and is not used in normal speech.
Bescheidenheit ist eine Tugend.
Modesty is a virtue.
To express the reason for an action, the fixed phrase 'aus Bescheidenheit' (out of modesty) is often used. It describes that someone does or does not do something out of reserve or restraint.
Er lehnte das Lob aus reiner Bescheidenheit ab.
He refused the praise out of pure modesty.
When talking about a simple lifestyle, 'Bescheidenheit' (modesty) is very often combined with the preposition 'in'. The phrase is then 'in Bescheidenheit leben' (to live in modesty) or 'in Bescheidenheit aufwachsen' (to grow up in modesty).
Obwohl sie reich waren, erzogen sie ihre Kinder in Bescheidenheit.
Although they were rich, they raised their children in modesty.
restraint / reluctance
Zurückhaltung and Bescheidenheit can both mean that someone does not openly highlight their own achievements. Zurückhaltung generally describes cautious or reserved behavior, while Bescheidenheit specifically means refraining from self-praise and exaggerated claims. Bescheidenheit is especially appropriate when talking about achievements.
Aus Bescheidenheit erwähnte sie ihren Erfolg in der Runde nur kurz.
Out of modesty, she mentioned her success only briefly in the group.
Aus Zurückhaltung sprach sie in der Runde nur wenig über ihren Erfolg.
Out of restraint, she said very little about her success in the group.
