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March 24, 2026
劣liè(lie4)
The character 劣 (liè) refers to something that is considered inferior or of low quality. It is commonly used to describe objects, services, or even performances that do not meet a certain standard, often in contrast to something better. The nuance suggests a comparison where one thing is deemed less desirable than another.
Strokes6Radical力Frequency#23864DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of quality is deeply intertwined with social status and reputation. Using 劣 to describe something can reflect negatively on a person or business, making it a powerful term in evaluations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a ladder where the lowest rung is labeled '劣' (liè) to remind you that it's the inferior step. The character has the radical for 'strength' (力) suggesting something that lacks strength or quality, making it easy to remember that 劣 relates to inferiority.
Meanings of 劣
liè(lie4)
1inferior
2low-quality, inferior, bad
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 劣
劣Simplified
6Strokes
力Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#23864Frequency Rank
Podcast: 劣
Podcast: 劣
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AI Study Notes for 劣
Quick Contrast
劣 (liè) vs 差 (chà) — use 劣 to emphasize inferiority in quality, while 差 indicates a general sense of being poor or lacking.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 劣 with similar-sounding words like '烈' (liè, fierce) due to tonal differences. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially in critiques or evaluations, and can be collocated with words like '品质' (pǐnzhì, quality) as in '劣品质' (liè pǐnzhì, low quality).
HSK Study Tips
Though 劣 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it connects to other adjectives describing quality like 高 (gāo, high) and 好 (hǎo, good). Focus on its usage in comparative contexts and recognize its importance in discussions of quality.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 劣 to describe something that is simply different, rather than inferior. For example, saying '这件衣服劣于那件' (This piece of clothing is inferior to that one) without providing a clear comparison can lead to confusion. Ensure to clarify what you are comparing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 劣
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Phonosemantic compound. 少 represents the meaning and 力 represents the sound.
1The meaning half少 carries the sense.
2The sound half力 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayinadequate
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 劣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 劣?
Decomposition of 劣
IDS Structure⿱少力
劣Full Character
=
少shao3
top
力Li4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 劣?
How to say inferior in Chinese
“inferior” in Chinese is劣liè
The character 劣 (liè) refers to something that is considered inferior or of low quality. It is commonly used to describe objects, services, or even performances that do not meet a certain standard, often in contrast to something better. The nuance suggests a comparison where one thing is deemed less desirable than another.
When to use 劣
Learners often confuse 劣 with similar-sounding words like '烈' (liè, fierce) due to tonal differences. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially in critiques or evaluations, and can be collocated with words like '品质' (pǐnzhì, quality) as in '劣品质' (liè pǐnzhì, low quality).
劣 or something close to it
劣 (liè) vs 差 (chà) — use 劣 to emphasize inferiority in quality, while 差 indicates a general sense of being poor or lacking.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 劣 to describe something that is simply different, rather than inferior. For example, saying '这件衣服劣于那件' (This piece of clothing is inferior to that one) without providing a clear comparison can lead to confusion. Ensure to clarify what you are comparing.
Write 劣
劣
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Grammar Patterns of 劣
劣 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
