Chinese word

逊色

Pronunciation

Pinyinxùn sè

Meaning

  • adjectiveinferior

Example

他的成绩一点也不逊色。tā de chéng jì yì diǎn yě bú xùn sè

His grades are not inferior at all.

Illustration for 逊色 (inferior)

More examples

他的论文不逊色于那些资深研究者的成果。tā de lùn wén bú xùn sè yú nà xiē zī shēn yán jiū zhě de chéng guǒ

His paper is no worse than the work of those veteran researchers.

Core concept

Marks a comparison in which one side does not match the other in quality, distinction, or performance.

Common phrases

  • 不逊色于bú xùn sè yú

    be no worse than

  • 显得逊色xiǎn de xùn sè

    seem inferior

Similar words

差chà: Insufficient in quality or ability to meet expectations.
劣liè: Inferior in quality, skill, or overall level.
平庸píng yōng: Average and unremarkable, with no special strengths.

Definition in Chinese

在比较中显得不如别人，达不到对方的水平或光彩。zài bǐ jiào zhōng xiǎn de bù rú bié rén dá bú dào duì fāng de shuǐ píng huò guāng cǎi

Word origin

逊色 (xùnsè, "to fall short") joins 逊 (xùn, "to be inferior") and 色 (sè, "appearance or luster"), so an earlier image of dimmer appearance develops into the broader sense of being outmatched.

Usage tips

  • The word is especially natural for achievements, products, and performances, where the unstated comparison is usually understood from the surrounding context.

Other meanings

  • pale in comparisonverb
  • be second toverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word