French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
insuffisant
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃syfizɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivenot enough
Example
Ce montant est insuffisant.
This amount is not enough.
More examples
Le temps était insuffisant pour finir le travail.
The time was insufficient to finish the work.
Core concept
A measuring mark remains out of reach, so the amount or quality cannot meet the requirement.
Common phrases
être insuffisant
be insufficient
insuffisant pour
insufficient for ___
très insuffisant
very insufficient
Similar words
faible: Small in strength or amount and therefore not enough.
incomplet: Missing necessary parts or elements; not complete.
limité: Restricted in amount or scope and therefore not enough.
Definition in French
Décrit ce qui n'atteint pas la quantité, la mesure ou l'exigence nécessaire.
Word origin
Insuffisant comes from Latin insufficiens, formed with in- meaning 'not' and sufficere meaning 'to suffice'.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, pas assez is often more natural for a simple shortfall, while insuffisant suits formal evaluation or written explanation.