lack of ability; incompetence; incapacity
A formal, somewhat literary noun for lacking talent or ability. Often used in self-deprecating expressions or to describe someone's inadequacy in a specific area.
I am ashamed of my own lack of ability.
He declined the job because of his incompetence.
one's own lack of learning and ability; shallow knowledge and meager talent
Standard kanji spelling using 非 (not) and 才 (talent).
Rare variant using 菲 (humble, poor); mostly seen in literary or self-deprecating contexts.
Formed from 非 (hi, 'not') and 才 (sai, 'talent, ability'). The variant 菲才 uses 菲 (hi, 'humble, poor') which reinforces the self-deprecating nuance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common Sino-Japanese pattern for abstract nouns.