Translation guide
A persistent sense of inadequacy or feeling less worthy than others. In Japanese, this is often expressed with set phrases, psychological terms, or descriptive language about self-esteem.
Expressing a chronic feeling of being inferior to others, often in personality or ability.
The most common and natural way to say 'inferiority complex' in everyday Japanese. Literally 'sense of inferiority'.
彼は強い劣等感を持っている。
He has a strong inferiority complex.
劣等感を克服するのは難しい。
Overcoming an inferiority complex is difficult.
The loanword 'complex' is widely used, often shortened to コンプレックス or even コン. It can refer to any complex, but context usually makes it clear.
彼女は自分の身長にコンプレックスがある。
She has a complex about her height.
A direct translation of 'inferiority complex', used in psychological contexts or formal writing. Less common in casual speech.
アドラー心理学では劣等コンプレックスが重要な概念だ。
In Adlerian psychology, the inferiority complex is an important concept.
Describing a complex about a particular aspect, such as appearance, skill, or background.
Pattern for 'have a complex about ~'. Fill in the trait with a noun.
私は自分の英語力にコンプレックスがある。
I have a complex about my English ability.
彼は学歴にコンプレックスを持っている。
He has a complex about his educational background.
Pattern for '~ is the source of my inferiority complex'. More descriptive.
身長が劣等感の原因だ。
My height is the source of my inferiority complex.
The psychological concept where feelings of inferiority motivate someone to strive for superiority.
Psychological term: 'compensation for inferiority feelings'. Used in Adlerian psychology.
彼の成功は劣等感の補償によるものだ。
His success is due to compensation for his inferiority complex.
劣等感 (rettoukan) specifically means 'sense of inferiority' and is the most direct equivalent. コンプレックス (konpurekkusu) is broader, covering any psychological complex (e.g., superiority complex, Oedipus complex). In casual conversation, コンプレックス often implies inferiority complex by default.
彼は劣等感が強い。
He has a strong inferiority complex.
彼はコンプレックスが強い。
He has a strong complex (likely inferiority).
The English phrase 'inferiority complex' is sometimes directly translated as 劣等複合体 (rettou fukugoutai), but this is unnatural and rarely used. Stick to 劣等感 or コンプレックス.