劣 等 感(れっとうかん)

れっとうかん

noun

inferiority complex; feelings of inferiority

emotion

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.

Forms

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

USAGE (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).

Similar words

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)

Compare: コンプレックス (complex, insecurity, hang-up)

Compare: 優越(ゆうえつ) (superiority)

Compare: 自己否定(じこひてい) (self-denial)

general

Added 2026.1.17 2:25 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:26

05500/05954_rettoukan