引(ひ)け目(め)

ひけめ

noun

feeling of inferiority; sense of inadequacy

emotion

1. feeling of inferiority; sense of inadequacy; self-consciousness

A feeling of being inferior to others or not measuring up. Often used with を感じる (to feel).

学歴(がくれき)に引(ひ)け目(め)を感(かん)じる。

I feel inferior about my educational background.

何(なに)も引(ひ)け目(め)に感(かん)じることはない。

There's nothing to feel inferior about.

周(まわ)りが優秀(ゆうしゅう)な人(ひと)ばかりで、いつも引(ひ)け目(め)を感(かん)じていた。

Everyone around me was so talented that I always felt inadequate.

Usage

Almost always used with を感(かん)じる. Expresses a subjective feeling of being at a disadvantage or not being good enough compared to others. Not as strong as 劣等感(れっとうかん) (inferiority complex).

Common collocations

引(ひ)け目(め)を感(かん)じる (to feel inferior)
引(ひ)け目(め)がない (to have no sense of inadequacy)
引(ひ)け目(め)を取(と)らない (to be no less than, to hold one's own)

Similar words

劣等感(れっとうかん): inferiority complex — stronger and more psychological
負(ま)い目(め): feeling of guilt, sense of obligation — involves moral responsibility rather than comparison

Related Words

Synonym: 劣等感(れっとうかん) (inferiority complex (stronger))

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

general

Added 2026.3.21 18:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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