What is the Kanji for 'Inferior' and 'Inferiority'? | 劣

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Inferior' and 'Inferiority', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Inferior' and 'Inferiority' is 劣.

kanji

劣

Meaning

Inferior, Inferiority

Reading

kunyomiおと

oto

onyomiれつ

retsu

Parts

少Few 力Power

Example Word

劣る: inferior. The Japanese verb '劣る (おとる)' means 'to be inferior' or 'to be worse than'. It is used to compare two things, where one is of lesser quality, ability, or value compared to the other. This verb often carries a nuance of being lacking or not measuring up to a standard. For example: His skills are inferior to hers「彼のスキルは彼女に劣る」(かれのスキルはかのじょにおとる). This product is inferior to the previous model「この製品は前のモデルに劣る」(このせいひんはまえのモデルにおとる). Note that '劣る' is typically used in formal or written contexts and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1400

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 劣

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

kanji

少

Meaning

Few

kanji

力

Meaning

Power

Words Using 劣

This kanji is used in 1 word:

word

劣る

Meaning

Inferior

Kanji Related to 劣 Through the Part 少

These 7 kanji contain the part 少 as well.

kanji

歩

Meaning

Walk

kanji

省

Meaning

Ministry, Conserve

kanji

秒

Meaning

Second

kanji

砂

Meaning

Sand

kanji

妙

Meaning

Exquisite, Marvelous

kanji

抄

Meaning

Extract, Excerpt

kanji

沙

Meaning

Sand

Kanji Related to 劣 Through the Part 力

These 19 kanji contain the part 力 as well.

kanji

男

Meaning

Man

kanji

勉

Meaning

Exertion

kanji

動

Meaning

Move

kanji

功

Meaning

Merit, Achievement

kanji

加

Meaning

Join, Add

kanji

効

Meaning

Effective

kanji

勤

Meaning

Diligence

kanji

労

Meaning

Labor

kanji

助

Meaning

Help

kanji

努

Meaning

Toil

kanji

勢

Meaning

Power, Force

kanji

励

Meaning

Strive, Encourage

kanji

募

Meaning

Raise, Recruit

kanji

幼

Meaning

Childhood, Infancy

kanji

勧

Meaning

Urge, Recommend

kanji

劾

Meaning

Investigate, Censure

kanji

勘

Meaning

Check, Intuition

kanji

勅

Meaning

Imperial order, Imperial decree

kanji

勃

Meaning

Rise, Suddenness

Learn the Kanji 劣

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 劣 mean?

劣 means 'Inferior' and 'Inferiority'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.