Definition
缺 (quē) means 'to lack' or 'to be absent'. It is broader than 差 (chà), which often refers to being short of a specific amount or being inferior. For 'to lack', 缺少 (quē shǎo) is used for concrete items, 缺乏 (quē fá) for abstract; for absence from events, use 缺席 (quē xí).
verb
to lackto be short ofto be absentto be missing
Easily confused
- 快kuàilook-alike(adjective) fast, quick
- 却quèsound-alike(adverb) but, yet, however (indicating contrast or unexpectedness)
- 块kuàilook-alike(classifier) for pieces or chunks of something (e.g., bread, meat, watermelon)
- 瘸quésound-aliketo be lame; to limp; to become lame
Examples
- 缺。Wǒ zuìjìn hěn quē qián.I've been short of money lately.
- 缺。Wǒmen bān quē yí gè xuéshēng.Our class is short one student.
- 。Tā jīntiān quē kè le.He was absent from class today.
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.