second-rate
/ˌsekənd ˈreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsekənd ˈreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt/ (ame, mw)
second-rate — 形容詞
1. Describes something that is clearly below the usual standard of quality, skill,
二流的
品質或水準低於平均的
Describes something that is clearly below the usual standard of quality, skill, or performance, especially when compared with others of the same type.
The hotel gave us a second-rate room with a broken air conditioner and noisy pipes.
那家旅館給我們一間二流的房間，空調壞了，水管還會發出噪音。
attributive use: second-rate + noun (room)
Critics called the film second-rate, pointing out the weak script and poor acting.
影評人稱這部電影為二流作品，指出劇本薄弱、演技糟糕。
Kenji refused to buy second-rate tools, knowing they would break within a month.
Kenji 拒絕購買次等工具，因為他知道那些用不到一個月就會壞掉。
The restaurant served second-rate food that was nothing like the fresh meals they advertised.
那間餐廳供應的菜餚水準很差，跟廣告上說的完全不一樣。
After hiring a second-rate plumber, Priya had to call a real expert to fix the leak properly.
請了一個二流的水電工之後，Priya 只好找真正的專家來把漏水修好。
- mediocre
Milder; suggests something is unremarkable rather than actively bad ('a mediocre meal')
- inferior
Stronger and more technical, often used in formal comparisons ('inferior materials')
- substandard
Focuses on failing to meet a minimum requirement or regulation ('substandard housing')
- poor
More general and widely used, from weak quality to serious lack ('poor workmanship')
- first-rate
Top quality; the direct opposite in the 'rate' scale
- excellent
Very high standard, much better than average
- superior
Above average, often used in direct comparison
文法句型
second-rate + noun
be + second-rate
用法筆記
Carries a distinctly negative and dismissive tone — stronger than 'not very good' but milder than 'terrible'. Can be used both before a noun ('a second-rate actor') and after a linking verb ('the work is second-rate').