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紧缺 (jǐn quē) — scarce, in short supply

Definition

紧缺 describes resources, talent, or supplies being 'in short supply' — it focuses on a shortage, unlike 紧迫 which means 'urgent/pressing' (about time or tasks). Stronger than 缺 (just 'to lack').

adjective
scarcein short supply

Examples

  • 紧缺。
    Zhè ge háng yè de gāo jí gōng chéng shī fēi cháng jǐn quē.
    Senior engineers in this industry are in very short supply.
  • 紧缺。
    Nà ge guó jiā de shuǐ zī yuán yán zhòng jǐn quē.
    Water resources in that country are severely scarce.
  • ，紧缺。
    Yì qíng qī jiān, fáng hù yòng pǐn shí fēn jǐn quē.
    During the pandemic, protective supplies were very scarce.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

紧jǐntight
缺quēlacking

“紧” (tight) and “缺” (lacking) together mean supply is tight and deficient.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 緊; 紧 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
臤
臤qiān緊jǐn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緊 pairs 糸 (thread) with 臤 as a sound part; the simplified 紧 is a later shorthand.

Open 紧 →

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 7-9

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