noun
mediocrity; ordinary ability
Refers to a person of average or unremarkable talent, often contrasted with 天才 (genius). Can be used self-deprecatingly or to describe someone's modest capabilities.
Antonyms: 天才
彼は自分を凡才だと言っているが、実際はかなり優秀だ。
He calls himself mediocre, but he's actually quite talented.
天才と凡才の違いは努力の量だと言われる。
It's said that the difference between a genius and an ordinary person is the amount of effort.
Compound of 凡 (mediocre, ordinary) and 才 (talent, ability). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common Sino-Japanese pattern for describing levels of ability.