umile
/ˈu.mi.le/
The English word humble can be translated into Italian as umile or modesto.
Meaning: thinking lowly of oneself (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| umile | /ˈu.mi.le/ |
| modesto | /moˈdɛs.to/ |
Both umile and modesto are used to describe someone who thinks lowly of themselves. You can use the word profondo as a qualifier to accentuate this sense of humility.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective umile changes to umili when referring to plural masculine or feminine nouns. The adjective modesto changes to modesti for masculine plural and modeste for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
umile is pronounced /ˈu.mi.le/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word umile shares a root with the English word 'humus', meaning the organic matter in soil. It originally described something that was 'close to the ground'.
- In Italian, calling a person umile can sometimes carry a negative connotation of being 'lowly' or 'subservient' in social status, rather than just being a virtue.
- Unlike English, where 'humble' can be used as a verb ('to humble someone'), Italian uses the verb umiliare. However, umiliare almost always carries a negative connotation of shaming or degrading someone.
Examples in context
- Tom è molto umile.Tom is very humble.This sentence shows how to use umile to describe a person.Tatoeba #3318602 by Guybrush88, translation #2699026 by CK
- Lei è troppo umile.You're too humble.This sentence uses umile to describe a person's level of humility.Tatoeba #2845114 by Guybrush88, translation #2232865 by AlanF_US
- Sono solo un umile insegnante.I am just a humble teacher.This sentence uses umile as an adjective for a person's profession.Tatoeba #850981 by Guybrush88, translation #256040 by sacredceltic
- Sua eccellenza è un uomo umileHis excellency is a humble man.
- È un uomo molto modestoHe is a very humble man.
- È una persona molto sempliceHe/she is a very humble person.
- Sono umile d'animoI am humble in spirit.
- Un gesto di umiltà profondaA gesture of deep humility.
- Mi sento molto umile dopo aver ricevuto questo riconoscimento.I feel very humble after receiving this recognition.
- È un piacere lavorare con una persona così modesta.It's a pleasure to work with such a humble person.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are discussing a colleague's success.
- GiuliaHai visto quanto è bravo Marco?Did you see how good Marco is?
- FrancescoSì, ma resta sempre un uomo umile.Yes, but he always remains a humble man.
- GiuliaÈ raro trovare persone così oggi.It is rare to find people like that today.
- FrancescoVero, la sua modestia è ammirevole.True, his modesty is admirable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “humble” translations and entries umile, modesto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries modesto, umile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
