thấp kém
Definition
- Adjective:
- Inferior; low-grade: Of poor quality, standard, or value compared to something else.
- Lowly; humble: Referring to a low rank, status, or position in a social, professional, or moral hierarchy.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chất lượng sản phẩm này thấp kém. (The quality of this product is inferior.)
- Anh ta cảm thấy mình thấp kém hơn những người bạn giàu có. (He feels inferior to his wealthy friends.)
- Họ bị đối xử như những công dân thấp kém. (They were treated as lowly citizens.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe abstract concepts like quality, morality, or status.
- Tư tưởng thấp kém (a base or lowly mindset)
- Trình độ thấp kém (a low level of skill or education)
Variants and Related Words
- Thấp (adj): Low (in height, level, or status). Can be synonymous in some contexts regarding status or level.
- Kém (adj): Poor, weak, inferior. Often used in combination with "thấp" for emphasis.
- Kém cỏi (adj): Incompetent, poor (in ability). Focuses more on lack of skill.
Synonyms
- Inferior: Lower in quality or value.
- Lowly: Of humble rank or status.
- Substandard: Below the required standard.
Related Idioms
- Thân phận thấp kém: A lowly lot or humble station in life.
- Ông ấy không bao giờ chấp nhận thân phận thấp kém của mình. (He never accepted his lowly lot in life.)