English–Japanese

“lack” in Japanese

Japanese

Also欠乏 (ketsubō)

Pronunciation

Romajikaku

Example

その説明は具体性を欠きます。so no setsu mei wa gu tai sei o ka ki ma su

The explanation lacks detail.

Illustration for 欠く (lack)

How to say “lack” in Japanese

“Lack” in Japanese is 欠く (kaku).

Shows that something is incomplete because an expected element or quality is not present.

Full entry for 欠く: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 欠く

その報告書は根拠を欠いています。so no hō koku sho wa kon kyo o ka i te i ma su

That report lacks evidence.

Tips for using 欠く

  • 欠く (kaku) is common in formal descriptions, while everyday conversation more often uses ない (nai) or 足りない (tarinai) for the same basic idea.

Other Japanese words for “lack”

食料の欠乏が深刻です。shoku ryō no ketsu bō ga shin koku de su

The lack of food is serious.

“lack” in other languages