прибедниться

Russian

Etymology

при- (pri-) +‎ бе́дный (bédnyj, poor) +‎ -и́ть (-ítʹ) +‎ -ся (-sja).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [prʲɪbʲɪdʲˈnʲit͡sːə]

Verb

прибедни́ться • (pribednítʹsjapf (imperfective прибедня́ться)

  1. (colloquial) to act poorer than one really is
  2. (colloquial, figuratively) to act modest, to downplay one's abilities or achievements, to sell oneself short (such as to appear humble or arouse sympathy)
    Synonym: скро́мничать (skrómničatʹ)

Usage notes

This perfective verb is far more uncommon than the associated imperfective, прибедня́ться (pribednjátʹsja).

Conjugation