謙 modesty

Modest things you say do double-duty: they make you look humble but they also cause people to respect you more for being so modest.

humble formal japanese ★★★☆☆ CCWF
謙 (modesty) + 譲 (concessions) + 語 (language) = 謙譲語 (humble formal japanese)

Along with Sonkeigo, Kenjougo is half of Japanese formal speech: When talking to your superiors, you use kenjougo to refer to your own humble actions.

modest ★★☆☆☆
謙 (modesty) + 虚 (empty) = 謙虚 (modest)

modest - this is a word you use about others. "She's got a very modest attitude."

other modesty ★★☆☆☆

To downplay your own skills in front of others. You don't ever say "I 謙遜-ed." or "He 謙遜-ed." or "She's really 謙遜-ish."

Normally it's only used like : "Please don't 謙遜. We both know you're rad," or "He declined the offer out of modesty."