1.
clumsy; poor; unskillful; crude
Describing something done poorly or lacking skill. A formal, somewhat literary term used to criticize the quality of work, performance, or technique.
拙劣な演技だった。
It was a poor performance.
拙劣な模倣にすぎない。
It's nothing more than a crude imitation.
政府の拙劣な対応が被害を拡大させた。
The government's poor handling of the situation worsened the damage.
Composed of 拙 (clumsy, unskillful) + 劣 (inferior). A formal/written term expressing strong criticism of quality or skill. The opposite is 巧妙 (skillful, clever). Common collocations: 拙劣な手口 (clumsy tactics), 拙劣な技術 (poor technique), 拙劣な対応 (poor handling). More formal and harsher than 下手 (unskillful, poor at). Related words: 稚拙 (immature, childish — implies lack of sophistication), 粗雑 (rough, sloppy).