adjective / verb HSK 5
Traditional 遜
inferior · to yield · to be modest · not as good as
Meaning
逊 describes something or someone being inferior, less impressive, or not as good as another. It can also mean to yield or be modest. In modern usage, it often appears in comparisons, especially in the pattern '不逊于' (not inferior to) or '逊色' (to pale in comparison).
Usage
Most commonly used in written or formal contexts. In everyday speech, you'll often hear it in compounds like 逊色 (inferior) or in internet slang where 逊 means 'lame' or 'uncool'. The character carries a sense of being outshone or coming up short in comparison.
Examples
- 01这部电影的特效毫不逊色于好莱坞大片。.This film's special effects are in no way inferior to Hollywood blockbusters.
- 02他的表现比上次稍逊一筹。.His performance was slightly inferior to last time.
Common collocations
- 逊色于to be inferior to
- 不逊于not inferior to, on par with
- 毫不逊色in no way inferior
- 稍逊一筹slightly inferior, a bit lacking
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 遜 contains the walking radical 辶 and 孫 (grandson), originally suggesting the idea of stepping back or yielding one's position, like a younger generation being modest before elders.