adjectiveverb

bescheiden

modest · humble

Eine Person, die nicht angibt und mit wenig zufrieden ist.

Definition & meaning

bescheiden is primarily an adjective with several related meanings:

Modest, humble, unassuming
It describes someone who does not boast about their abilities, achievements, or possessions.
- Sie ist sehr bescheiden. — She is very modest.
- Er gab eine bescheidene Antwort. — He gave a modest/unassuming answer.
Modest or limited in size, quality, or amount
It can describe something small, simple, or not especially impressive.
- Sie leben in bescheidenen Verhältnissen. — They live in modest circumstances.
- Das Essen war bescheiden. — The meal was rather meager/basic.
- Er verdient ein bescheidenes Einkommen. — He earns a modest income.
To be content with less; to make do
In the reflexive expression sich bescheiden, it means to accept something limited or to refrain from demanding more.
- Man muss sich manchmal bescheiden. — Sometimes one has to make do with less.

As a formal administrative verb, bescheiden means to decide on or rule on an application.

Der Antrag wurde abschlägig beschieden. — The application was rejected.
Die Behörde hat den Antrag positiv beschieden. — The authority approved the application.

Grammar & Word origin

bescheiden is:

an adjective: ein bescheidener Mensch — a modest person
a verb: jemanden bescheiden or einen Antrag bescheiden — to rule on someone’s request or application
a reflexive verb: sich bescheiden — to be content with less

As an adjective:

comparative: bescheidener
superlative: am bescheidensten
adverbial form: Sie lebt bescheiden. — She lives modestly.

The word is historically related to scheiden , “to separate” or “to distinguish.” Its older meaning was connected with being discerning or reasonable; it later developed the sense of having moderate demands and behaving humbly.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

demütig — humble, often with a stronger sense of submission or religious humility
unaufdringlich — unobtrusive and not imposing oneself on others
zurückhaltend — reserved or restrained; it can refer to behavior more generally, not only to modesty
anspruchslos — undemanding or satisfied with little; it focuses more on one’s needs than on one’s personal modesty
maßvoll — moderate and restrained, especially concerning behavior, consumption, or demands
klein or gering — possible synonyms when bescheiden means limited in size, amount, or significance

Antonyms

angeberisch — boastful and eager to show off
arrogant — arrogantly superior toward others
selbstgefällig — smug or overly pleased with oneself
anspruchsvoll — demanding or expecting a high standard; the opposite of being satisfied with little
üppig — abundant or lavish, opposite to the meaning “small or meager”