劣等感(れっとうかん)

れっとうかん
noun
inferiority complex; feelings of inferiority
1. inferiority complex; feelings of inferiority
The persistent feeling of being inferior to others in terms of ability, appearance, status, or other attributes.
学歴(がくれき)に劣等感(れっとうかん)を持(も)っている。
I have an inferiority complex about my educational background.
劣等感(れっとうかん)を克服(こくふく)するのは難(むずか)しい。
It's difficult to overcome feelings of inferiority.
兄(あに)と比(くら)べられて劣等感(れっとうかん)を抱(いだ)いた。
Being compared to my older brother gave me an inferiority complex.

FORMATION:
劣等(れっとう) (inferiority) + 感(かん) (feeling)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 劣等感(れっとうかん)を持(も)つ: to have an inferiority complex
  • 劣等感(れっとうかん)を抱(いだ)く: to harbor feelings of inferiority
  • 劣等感(れっとうかん)を克服(こくふく)する: to overcome an inferiority complex
  • 劣等感(れっとうかん)に悩(なや)む: to struggle with inferiority feelings

PSYCHOLOGY:
Concept made famous by Alfred Adler's individual psychology. In Japanese psychological discourse, often discussed alongside 優越感(ゆうえつかん) (superiority complex).

ANTONYM:

  • 優越感(ゆうえつかん): sense of superiority

Related Words

Antonym: 優越感(ゆうえつかん) (superiority complex)
general
Added 2026.1.17 2:25 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:14
05500/05954_rettoukan