lesser
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less / no less
An elevated expression for 'weniger' (less) or 'in geringerem Maße' (to a lesser degree). It expresses a reduction in degree, amount, or intensity.
Seine Leistung war in diesem Jahr nicht minder beeindruckend als im letzten.
His performance this year was no less impressive than last year.
inferior
Describes something of lower, poorer quality or of lower value; inferior.
Die Werkstatt verbaut keine Teile minder Qualität.
The workshop does not install parts of inferior quality.
'Minder' (lesser/less) belongs to a word family centered around the idea of 'wenig' (little/few). Related words are 'mindestens' (at least), 'vermindern' (to reduce), and 'die Minderheit' (the minority).
Wir müssen die Kosten um mindestens zehn Prozent vermindern.
We need to reduce the costs by at least ten percent.
In the meaning 'weniger' (less), 'minder' belongs to elevated written language and often sounds formal or literary. It is rare in normal everyday usage.
Sein Beitrag zur Diskussion war nicht minder wichtig.
His contribution to the discussion was no less important.
The fixed expression 'nicht minder' (no less) is especially common and means 'genauso' (just as) or 'ebenso' (equally). In this combination, 'minder' is not declined.
Die zweite Reise war nicht minder aufregend als die erste.
The second trip was no less exciting than the first.
When 'minder' describes poor quality, it often appears before a noun in the fixed construction '[Nomen] minder Qualität' ([noun] of inferior quality). Here, 'minder' is not declined.
Er kaufte nur Produkte minder Qualität, um Geld zu sparen.
He bought only products of inferior quality in order to save money.
inferior
Minder and minderwertig can both indicate lower quality or lower value. Minder is generally used comparatively and shows that something is worse or less valuable than something else; minderwertig refers more to the poor quality itself. Minder is appropriate for a direct comparison, while minderwertig is used for a general evaluation.
Die neue Lieferung ist von minderer Qualität als die vorige.
The new shipment is of lower quality than the previous one.
Der Händler nahm das minderwertige Material aus dem Angebot.
The dealer removed the inferior material from the selection.
