Translation guide
Expresses that something is of poor quality, inferior, or below standard. Covers literal quality of objects, materials, and products, as well as figurative low quality of work, performance, or conditions.
Describe an item, material, or product that is not well-made, cheap, or inferior.
Direct and common term for 'low quality'. Used for products, materials, and manufactured goods.
この店の商品は低品質だ。
The products in this store are low-grade.
Means 'coarse' or 'crude', implying shoddy workmanship or inferior materials. Often used for counterfeit or poorly made goods.
粗悪な建材が使われていた。
Low-grade building materials were used.
Literally 'cheap thing'. Implies low price and correspondingly low quality. Casual.
安物のバッグはすぐに壊れる。
Cheap (low-grade) bags break quickly.
Phrase meaning 'the quality is bad'. Versatile and natural for many contexts.
あの店の服は質が悪い。
The clothes at that store are low-grade.
Describe work, effort, or output that is substandard or poorly done.
Means 'low level'. Used for skills, performance, or quality of work.
彼のプレゼンは低レベルだった。
His presentation was low-grade.
Means 'poor', 'shabby', or 'lame'. Often used to criticize work or service. Can be self-deprecating.
Literally 'the result is bad'. Used for the outcome of work, art, or performance.
今回の作品は出来が悪い。
This time's work is low-grade.
Describe a low severity, intensity, or concentration in medical or technical contexts, such as fever, infection, or tumor grade.
Means 'mild' or 'low-grade' in medical contexts. Used for fever, symptoms, or conditions.
軽度の発熱がある。
I have a low-grade fever.
Specifically 'low-grade malignancy' in oncology. Used for tumors that are less aggressive.
低悪性度の腫瘍と診断された。
Diagnosed with a low-grade tumor.
Express that something is disappointing, lame, or not up to par in a casual way.
Slang for 'shabby', 'lame', or 'weak'. Very common in casual speech.
その映画、しょぼかった。
That movie was low-grade.
Means 'uncool' or 'lame'. Used for style, ideas, or things that are tacky or low-quality in a social sense.
Literally 'subtle', but often used to mean 'not great', 'iffy', or 'low-grade' in a euphemistic way.
Do not use 低品質 or 粗悪 to describe a person's character or skills directly. Use 能力が低い (のうりょくがひくい) for low ability, or レベルが低い for low level.
彼は能力が低い。
He has low ability (not 'he is low-grade').
安物 emphasizes cheapness and often implies low quality, but can be used for inexpensive items that are acceptable. 低品質 is a more objective statement about poor quality regardless of price.
お粗末な対応だった。
The service was low-grade.
That design is low-grade (tacky).
The taste was low-grade (not great).