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引け目 (ひけめ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
sense of inferiority ; feeling of being at a disadvantage
Often used in phrases like 引け目を感じる (to feel inferior) or 引け目がある (to have a weak point). Describes a psychological sense of being lesser or having a shortcoming compared to others.
はな
しかけ
られ
ない
。
When you have a sense of inferiority, it's hard to strike up a conversation yourself.
Written forms 引ひ け 目め Usage 73%
Standard kanji spelling; high priority.
ひけ 目め Usage 16%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; less common but still encountered.
ひけめ Usage 9%
ヒケメ Usage 2%
Similar words 劣れっ 等とう 感かん 劣等感 is a more clinical or psychological term for an inferiority complex, while 引け目 is a more everyday feeling of being at a disadvantage or having a weak point.
コンプレックス コンプレックス is a broader loanword for a complex or hang-up, often used casually. 引け目 is more specifically about a perceived shortcoming in comparison to others.
Etymology Compound of 引け (hike, the continuative form of 引く 'to pull back, withdraw') and 目 (me 'eye, point'). Literally 'a point of retreat', suggesting a perceived weakness or disadvantage.
