WORD DETAIL
劣る
おとる
Examples
Included kanji
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
劣るis read asおとるand is an intransitive verb meaning to be inferior to or lag behind a comparison in ability, quality, or experience. - Basic usage: Being inferior to the previous product in durability appears in
丈夫さでは前作に劣る, while lagging in experience appears in経験では劣る.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Comparison target and dimension
- The comparison target can take
に, while the dimension of inferiority can takeでは.
- The comparison target can take
- Difference from
足りない- Unlike the expression for not having enough of something, this verb centers on a lower level relative to another target.

