劣
劣·inferior
- On-yomi
- レツ
- Kun-yomi
- おと(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 劣る | おとる | to be inferior, to fall behind |
| 劣等感 | れっとうかん | inferiority complex |
| 優劣 | ゆうれつ | relative merit, superiority or inferiority |
| 劣悪 | れつあく | inferior, wretched (conditions) |
Example sentences
この製品は品質で他社に劣る。
このせいひんはひんしつでたしゃにおとる。
This product is inferior in quality to the competition's.
二つの案に優劣はつけがたい。
ふたつのあんにゆうれつはつけがたい。
It is hard to say which of the two plans is better.
彼らは劣悪な環境で働かされていた。
かれらはれつあくなかんきょうではたらかされていた。
They were made to work in appalling conditions.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 劣等感 as れつとうかん — it is れっとうかん with a small っ
- 劣る takes に for what you fall short of: 他社に劣る, not 他社を劣る
Memory aid
Picture it
少 'little' sitting on 力 'strength': not enough strength — inferior.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 劣 mean?