Chinese word

劣势

Pronunciation

Pinyinliè shì

Meaning

  • noundisadvantage

Example

比赛最后我们仍然处于劣势。bǐ sài zuì hòu wǒ men réng rán chǔ yú liè shì

At the end of the match, we were still at a disadvantage.

Illustration for 劣势 (disadvantage)

More examples

他努力训练，希望能弥补自己的劣势。tā nǔ lì xùn liàn xī wàng néng mí bǔ zì jǐ de liè shì

He practices hard, hoping to make up for his disadvantage.

Core concept

A contest is tilted away from one side because that side has weaker resources, conditions, or strategic force.

Common phrases

  • 处于劣势chǔ yú liè shì

    be in an inferior position

  • 弥补劣势mí bǔ liè shì

    make up for a disadvantage

  • 明显的劣势míng xiǎn de liè shì

    obvious disadvantage

Similar words

下风xià fēng: A lower position in a conflict or dispute, with less power than the opponent.
逆境nì jìng: A difficult situation in which unfavorable conditions make progress hard.
不利条件bú lì tiáo jiàn: A condition that works against a desired result.

Definition in Chinese

处在力量、资源或形势上劣于对方，因而处于不利的位置或局面。chǔ zài lì liàng zī yuán huò xíng shì shàng liè yú duì fāng yīn ér chǔ yú bú lì de wèi zhì huò jú miàn

Word origin

劣 (liè, "inferior") + 势 (shì, "situation or force") combines a lower standing with the balance of a situation.

Usage tips

  • Because the word describes a relative situation, everyday sentences often name the other side or the area of comparison, such as resources or timing.

Other meanings

  • inferior positionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 劣势感liè shì gǎnfeeling of disadvantagenoun
  • 劣势群体liè shì qún tǐgroup at a disadvantagenoun

Word lists with this word