劣: the kanji for inferior
劣 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means inferior. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
劣 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
劣 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
レツ (retsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 劣等感れっとうかん · rettōkan | inferiority complex |
| 優劣ゆうれつ · yūretsu | superiority and inferiority |
| 劣化れっか · rekka | deterioration |
おとる (otoru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 劣るおとる · otoru | to be inferior |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この品は値段は安いが質は劣らない。Kono shina wa nedan wa yasui ga shitsu wa otoranai.This item is cheap, but its quality is just as good.
- 二つの作品に優劣はつけがたい。Futatsu no sakuhin ni yūretsu wa tsukegatai.It's hard to rank the two works.
- 兄に劣等感を持っていた。Ani ni rettōkan o motte ita.I felt inferior to my older brother.
- ゴムは時間がたつと劣化する。Gomu wa jikan ga tatsu to rekka suru.Rubber deteriorates over time.
- 彼の実力はプロに劣らない。Kare no jitsuryoku wa puro ni otoranai.His ability is on par with a pro's.
Questions about 劣
How many strokes does 劣 have?
劣 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 劣?
The on readings are retsu (レツ). The kun readings are otoru (おとる).
What JLPT level is 劣?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Qualities and conditions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 劣
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.