JLPT N1 · 6 strokes
Kanji 劣: "inferiority, be inferior to, be worse"
The kanji 劣 means "inferiority, be inferior to, be worse". It is written with 6 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read レツ in on'yomi and おと.る in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
レツ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
おと.る
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | inferiority, be inferior to, be worse |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 1620 of 2,501 |
Common words with 劣
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 劣るto be inferior to; to be less good at; to fall behind
- 卑劣mean; contemptible; despicable; dirty
- 劣化deterioration (in quality, performance, etc.); degradation; worsening · (visible) aging; becoming unattractive (due to aging)
- 劣勢inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation
- 劣等感inferiority complex; sense of inferiority
- 負けず劣らずequally (well); as ... as; no less ... than ...; neck and neck · evenly matched; well-matched
- 優劣(relative) merits; superiority or inferiority; quality
- 下劣base; mean; vulgar; despicable
- 劣情animal passions; carnal desire; lust
- 見劣りunfavourable comparison; unfavorable comparison
- 劣悪poor (quality, conditions, etc.); bad; inferior; poor-quality
- 愚劣foolishness; stupidity; silliness
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