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欠缺 (qiàn quē) — (verb) to lack, to be deficient in; (noun) shortcoming, deficiency, inadequacy

Definition

As a verb, 欠缺 means 'to lack' and is more formal/written than the everyday 缺 — often paired with abstract qualities like experience or funding. As a noun, it means 'shortcoming', a more literary equivalent of 不足.

verb
to lackto be deficient in
noun
shortcomingdeficiencyinadequacy

Examples

  • 欠缺。
    Tā qiàn quē gōng zuò jīng yàn.
    He lacks work experience.
  • 欠缺。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù hái qiàn quē zī jīn.
    This project still lacks funding.
  • 欠缺。
    Zhè ge jì huà yǒu hěn duō qiàn quē.
    This plan has many shortcomings.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

欠qiànlack
缺quēlack

欠 and 缺 both mean lack, giving deficiency or shortcoming.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

欠 is a kneeling person with an open mouth, shown in actions such as begging, speaking, blowing, singing, or being tired.

Open 欠 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
缶缶fǒuearthen pot
Sound part声符shēngfú
夬
夬guài缺quē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

缺 pairs 缶, an earthen pot, with 夬, which gives the sound.

Open 缺 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Good & Bad

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