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.
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.
Low-grade building materials were used.
Literally 'cheap thing'. Implies low price and correspondingly low quality. Casual.
Cheap (low-grade) bags break quickly.
Phrase meaning 'the quality is bad'. Versatile and natural for many contexts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diagnosed with a low-grade tumor.
That design is low-grade (tacky).
The taste was low-grade (not great).