inferior
/een-feh-ree-OR/
inferior
The small, bruised apple is inferior (inferior) in quality to the perfect red apple.
inferior(adjective)
inferior
?in quality or value
,lower
?in position or rank
substandard
?quality
,subordinate
?ranking
📝 In Action
Esta calidad de tela es inferior a la que usamos antes.
B1This quality of fabric is inferior to the one we used before.
Mi oficina está en el piso inferior.
A2My office is on the lower floor.
No te sientas inferior solo porque no sabes bailar.
B2Don't feel inferior just because you can't dance.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Compare with 'a'
When comparing two things, use 'inferior a' (inferior to) before the thing you are comparing against: 'Mi coche es inferior al tuyo' (My car is inferior to yours).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'que' for Comparison
Mistake: "Este producto es inferior que el otro."
Correction: Este producto es inferior al otro. (Use 'a' when comparing with 'inferior' or 'superior'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Emotional
While it can describe objects (quality), 'inferior' is often used to describe feelings of low self-worth or status, so use it carefully in discussions about people.
The seated person is the inferior (subordinate) of the standing person, having a lower rank.
inferior(noun)
subordinate
?a person of lower rank
,bottom
?lower garment of an outfit
junior
?in a hierarchical structure
📝 In Action
El general gritó a su inferior por el error cometido.
B2The general shouted at his subordinate for the mistake committed.
Necesito un uniforme nuevo; solo me falta el inferior.
C1I need a new uniform; I only need the bottom (piece).
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Use
When used as a noun, 'el inferior' or 'la inferior' refers to the person below you in a chain of command. It behaves exactly like a regular noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
The noun form is often used in technical or military language. In casual conversation, people usually say 'un empleado' or 'un subalterno' instead of 'un inferior' to sound less harsh.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inferior
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'inferior' to describe position, not quality?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'inferior' change based on gender and number?
Yes, as an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. Since it ends in -r, it's the same for masculine and feminine nouns (el nivel inferior, la calidad inferior). To make it plural, you add -es: 'inferiores'.
How is 'inferior' different from 'peor' (worse)?
'Inferior' usually implies a lower rank, status, or position in a set structure (quality, hierarchy). 'Peor' is the general comparative form of 'bad' and is used more broadly to say something is 'worse' in any situation.