Translation guide
The state of being lower in rank, status, quality, or ability. This guide helps learners express inferiority naturally in Japanese, covering feelings of inadequacy, lower quality, and subordinate positions.
Expressing a personal sense of inferiority, often in comparison to others.
The most common term for an inferiority complex or feeling of inferiority. Used in psychological and everyday contexts.
彼は自分に劣等感を持っている。
He has an inferiority complex about himself.
劣等感を克服するのは難しい。
Overcoming feelings of inferiority is difficult.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'to feel inferior to others'. Suitable for casual conversation.
彼女はいつも自分を劣っていると感じている。
She always feels inferior to others.
Loanword from English 'complex', often used for inferiority complex. Common in casual speech.
身長にコンプレックスがある。
I have a complex about my height.
To feel a sense of inferiority or shame, often due to a perceived shortcoming. Slightly literary.
学歴に引け目を感じている。
I feel inferior about my educational background.
Describing something that is of lesser quality, value, or performance.
Verb meaning 'to be inferior to' or 'to be worse than'. Used in comparisons.
この製品は品質が劣る。
This product is inferior in quality.
彼の能力は私より劣っている。
His ability is inferior to mine.
Adjectival noun meaning 'inferior' or 'poor', often used for conditions, quality, or environment.
To look inferior or shabby in comparison. Often used for appearance or presentation.
新製品と比べると見劣りする。
It looks inferior compared to the new product.
Referring to a subordinate position in a hierarchy.
Noun meaning 'lower rank' or 'inferior position'. Used in rankings, sports, and organizational contexts.
彼は下位の役職に甘んじている。
He is content with a lower-ranking position.
チームは下位に沈んでいる。
The team is stuck at the bottom of the rankings.
Formal term for 'inferior position' or 'disadvantage', often in legal or economic contexts.
Noun meaning 'lower rank' or 'inferior', often used in sports or competitive contexts.
Both mean 'inferiority complex', but 劣等感 is more formal and psychological, while コンプレックス is a casual loanword often used for physical complexes.
彼は劣等感に苦しんでいる。
He suffers from an inferiority complex.
鼻が低いのがコンプレックスだ。
I have a complex about my flat nose.
The English word 'inferiority' is often translated as 劣等 (rettou), but this is rarely used alone. Use 劣等感 for feelings, or 劣る for comparisons.
劣等感を持っている。
I have an inferiority complex.
劣等感を持っている。
I have an inferiority complex.
劣悪な労働環境を改善する必要がある。
We need to improve the inferior working conditions.
We are placed in an inferior position in the negotiations.
格下の相手に負けた。
We lost to an inferior opponent.