卑劣

• Reading: ひれつ
• Romaji: hiretsu
• Kanji breakdown: 卑 (hi) — base, lowly, vulgar; 劣 (retsu) — inferior, lesser
• Pronunciation: /hi.ɾe.t͡sɯ/

Meaning

Mean; despicable; contemptible; cowardly; base. Morally reprehensible behaviour that lacks honour or fairness.

A na-adjective and noun expressing strong moral condemnation: 卑劣な行為 (a despicable act), 卑劣な手段 (a foul/underhanded method). Implies not just wrongdoing but a particular kind of cowardly, sneaky immorality — attacking the weak, cheating, or using underhanded tactics. Stronger than ずるい (zurui, sneaky/cunning), which can sometimes be lighthearted. 卑劣 always carries serious moral weight and is never used playfully.

Examples

1. 卑劣な犯行に対して厳しい処罰が求められた。 Harsh punishment was demanded for the despicable crime.
2. そんな卑劣な手段を使うべきではない。 You shouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics.
3. 弱い者を狙うとは卑劣極まりない。 Targeting the weak is utterly contemptible.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, ethics, criticism

Tone: condemning

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 卑 (hi, base/lowly/humble) + 劣 (retsu, inferior/substandard). Both kanji carry negative connotations of low quality and moral deficiency, combining to express the very lowest form of human behaviour — contemptible and beneath dignity.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal