Japanese word

劣等感

Pronunciation

Romajirettōkan

Meaning

  • nouninferiority complex

Example

彼は自分の英語に劣等感を持っています。kare wa ji bun no ei go ni ret tō kan o mo tte i ma su

He has an inferiority complex about his English.

Illustration for 劣等感 (inferiority complex)

More examples

失敗すると、彼は人前で話すことに劣等感を覚えます。ship pai su ru to kare wa hito mae de hana su ko to ni ret tō kan o obo e ma su

When he fails, he feels inferior about speaking in public.

Core concept

Describes a sense that one is not as capable or worthy as the people one compares oneself with.

Common phrases

  • 劣等感を持つret tō kan o mo tsu

    have an inferiority complex

  • 劣等感に苦しむret tō kan ni kuru shi mu

    suffer from an inferiority complex

  • 劣等感を抱くret tō kan o ida ku

    harbor an inferiority complex

Similar words

劣等意識rettōishiki: An awareness of being lower in ability, status, or worth than others.
コンプレックスkonpurekkusu: A persistent belief that a personal weakness makes one less capable or worthy.
引け目hikeme: A feeling of inferiority or hesitation caused by a perceived disadvantage.
気後れkiokure: A feeling that makes a person hesitate because others seem more capable or important.

Definition in Japanese

自分を他人よりも能力や価値の面で劣っていると感じる心。ji bun o ta nin yo ri mo nō ryoku ya ka chi no men de oto tte i ru to kan ji ru kokoro

Word origin

劣 (retsu, "inferior") + 等 (tō, "rank") form 劣等 (rettō, "inferiority"), and 感 (kan, "feeling") adds the sense of an inward feeling.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, inferiority complex usually refers to a persistent feeling of inadequacy, but it does not by itself name a diagnosed disorder.

Other meanings

  • sense of inferioritynoun

Opposites

  • 優越感yūetsukansuperiority complexnoun

Word lists with this word