Translation guide
This guide helps you express the idea of 'lesser' in Japanese, covering comparisons of importance, quality, size, and degree. It focuses on natural ways to say something is smaller, less important, or of lower rank.
To describe something or someone as being of lower importance, rank, or status compared to another.
A common verb meaning 'to be inferior to' or 'to be lesser than'. Used in comparisons.
この点では彼は兄に劣る。
In this respect, he is lesser than his older brother.
品質が劣る製品は売れない。
Products of lesser quality don't sell.
Means 'second-rate' or 'lesser' in terms of rank or quality. Often used for artists, writers, or products.
彼は二流の詩人だ。
He is a lesser poet.
Refers to someone or something of lower rank or status, often in competitive or hierarchical contexts.
格下の相手に負けた。
We lost to a lesser opponent.
Literally 'small thing', used figuratively to mean a person of lesser importance or a small-time player.
あいつは所詮小物だ。
He's just a lesser figure after all.
To indicate a smaller degree, amount, or extent of something.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'lesser in quantity' or 'fewer'. Used in direct comparisons.
より少ない量で済ませる。
Make do with a lesser amount.
Means 'smaller' or 'lesser in size'. Used for physical size or scale.
より小さいサイズを選んだ。
I chose the lesser size.
Means 'mild' or 'lesser degree', often used in medical or technical contexts.
To refer to the smaller or less significant of two things, often in set phrases like 'the lesser of two evils'.
Means 'the better of two bad options' or 'the lesser evil'. Used when both choices are undesirable.
どちらも嫌だが、まだこっちの方がよりましな方だ。
I hate both, but this one is the lesser of two evils.
A casual phrase meaning 'still better' or 'lesser evil'. Often used in conversation.
遅刻するより欠席の方がまだましだ。
Being absent is the lesser evil compared to being late.
The English word 'lesser' is often used in fixed phrases like 'lesser-known' or 'lesser of two evils'. Directly translating 'lesser' as より少ない or より小さい may sound unnatural. Choose the appropriate Japanese expression based on context.
Lesser symptoms remain.