拙劣

• Pinyin: zhuō liè
• Hanzi breakdown: 拙 = 扌 + 出 (clumsy); 劣 = 少 + 力 (inferior)

Meaning

Clumsy; crude; inferior; poor quality. Describing work, skills, or methods that are poorly executed.

A critical adjective describing poor quality, lack of skill, or incompetent execution. Often used for performances, imitations, attempts, or craftsmanship. Carries a judgmental tone and is generally negative.

Examples

1. 他的表演十分拙劣，观众都在摇头。 His performance was so clumsy that the audience just shook their heads.
2. 这是一个拙劣的模仿。 This is a crude imitation.
3. 骗子的拙劣伎俩很快被识破。 The con artist's clumsy tricks were quickly exposed.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, evaluation, performance

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 这幅伪造的画作手法十分拙劣。(The forged painting was done with very crude technique.)
• 面对记者的追问，他的回避显得十分拙劣。(Facing the reporter's pressing questions, his evasion seemed very clumsy.)

Don't Say

• 你的厨艺很拙劣 — very harsh; use 还需要练习 or 不太熟练 for gentler criticism

Origin & History

拙 (clumsy, unskillful) + 劣 (inferior, poor)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal