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"Inferior" is an adjective which is often translated as "lower", and "superior" is an adjective which is often translated as "superior". Learn more about the difference between "inferior" and "superior" below.
inferior, el inferior, la inferior(
eem
-
feh
-
ryohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. lower
No me gusta como muerdes tu labio inferior cuando estás nervioso.I don't like the way you bite your lower lip when you're nervous.
b. bottom
La leche está en la repisa de arriba y la fruta está en el cajón inferior de la nevera.Milk is on the top shelf and fruit is in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator.
a. lower
El número de votantes en las elecciones locales es inferior al de las nacionales.Voter turnout in local elections is lower than in national elections.
b. below
Estas becas están destinadas a personas con ingresos inferiores al salario mínimo.These scholarships are meant for individuals whose income is below the minimum wage.
c. under
En algunas regiones en desarrollo, la esperanza de vida al nacer es inferior a 50 años.In some developing regions, life expectancy at birth is under 50 years.
d. less
El aumento de sueldo que recibí fue inferior a lo que esperaba.My salary increase was less than what I was hoping for.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (underling)
a. subordinate
El jefe es muy apreciado por todos sus inferiores.The boss is appreciated by all his subordinates.
b. inferior
Él se cree mejor que todos y nos considera sus inferiores.He thinks he is better than everybody else and sees us as his inferiors.
superior(
soo
-
peh
-
ryohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (better)
a. superior
Nuestra carne es superior porque nuestras vacas no son criadas en lotes de engorde.Our meat is superior because our cows are not raised in feedlots.
a. excellent
Este vino está bien, pero el que trajiste es superior.This wine is okay, but the one you brought is excellent.
3. (above)
4. (religious)
a. superior
Mi hermano es el monje superior del monasterio local.My brother is the superior monk of the local monastery.
a. superior
Aunque eran superiores en número, las tropas británicas fueron derrotadas.Although they were superior in number, the British troops were defeated.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
7. (boss)
a. superior
Mi superior me hace ir a trabajar incluso cuando estoy enfermo.My superior makes me go to work even when I'm sick.
8. (religious)
a. superior
El superior de la abadía está a cargo del proyecto de construcción del monasterio.The superior of the abbey is in charge of the monastery building project.
b. mother superior (feminine)
La superiora dijo que iba a rezar por mi esposo enfermo.The mother superior said she will pray for my sick husband.
