inferior

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 劣 has six strokes and uses the on-reading れつ and kun-reading おとる.
• Basic usage: It describes being inferior in comparison or a decline in quality or condition.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The basis of comparison
  • 劣る(おとる) means being inferior in a particular respect, such as durability or experience. A comparison in one respect is not a judgment of overall worth.
• Deterioration and a subjective feeling
  • 劣化(れっか) is deterioration in a material or photograph; 劣等感(れっとうかん) is the feeling of being inferior to others.
  • In both words, the ending of れつ becomes the small っ.