Definition

1. 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.)