Translation guide
Expresses that someone or something is lower in quality, ability, rank, or value compared to another. Japanese uses various adjectives, verbs, and set phrases depending on what aspect is inferior.
To say that something or someone is not as good as another in terms of quality, skill, or overall worth.
A direct and common way to say 'be inferior to'. The thing being compared is marked with より.
この製品はあの製品より品質が劣る。
This product is inferior in quality to that one.
彼の能力は兄より劣っている。
His ability is inferior to his older brother's.
Literally 'does not reach the level of'. Used to say something falls short of a standard or another thing.
この翻訳は原文の美しさに及ばない。
This translation does not match the beauty of the original.
Means 'not as ... as'. Used to say something is not as good, big, etc. as another.
この映画は前作ほど面白くない。
This movie is not as interesting as the previous one.
The te-iru form of 劣る, often used to describe a state of being inferior.
彼の技術はまだ劣っている。
His skills are still inferior.
To express that someone holds a lower position or rank in a hierarchy.
Directly states that someone's position is lower than another's.
彼は会社で私より地位が低い。
He is lower in rank than me in the company.
A noun meaning 'subordinate' or 'one's inferior'. Often used in social contexts.
目下の人にも丁寧に接する。
Treat even those inferior in status politely.
To say that a quantity or number is smaller or less than another.
Simply means 'fewer/less than'. Used for countable and uncountable things.
今年の収穫は去年より少ない。
This year's harvest is smaller than last year's.
Can also be used for numerical inferiority, though less common than 少ない.
このチームの得点力は相手に劣る。
This team's scoring ability is inferior to the opponent's.
To express that something is considered less valuable or significant.
Directly states lower value.
この絵は本物より価値が低い。
This painting is less valuable than the real one.
Again, 劣る can be used broadly for any kind of inferiority.
健康は富に劣らず大切だ。
Health is no less important than wealth.
劣る is the most direct translation of 'be inferior to' and can be used in many contexts. 及ばない emphasizes not reaching a certain level or standard. ほどではない is a softer, more colloquial way to say 'not as ... as' and is often used with adjectives.
English 'be inferior to' can sound stiff or formal. In casual Japanese, it's often more natural to use 〜ほど〜ない or 〜より〜ない constructions rather than 劣る, which can sound literary or technical.