Japanese word

不足

Pronunciation

Romajifusoku

Meaning

  • nounshortage

Example

水の不足で困っています。mizu no fu soku de koma tte i ma su

We are having trouble because of the water shortage.

Illustration for 不足 (shortage)

More examples

経験の不足を補うために、毎日練習しています。kei ken no fu soku o ogina u ta me ni mai nichi ren shū shi te i ma su

I practice every day to make up for my lack of experience.

Core concept

Describes something as falling below the amount or level required.

Common phrases

  • 人手不足hito de fu soku

    staff shortage

  • 睡眠不足sui min fu soku

    lack of sleep

  • 不足を補うfu soku o ogina u

    make up for a shortage

Similar words

欠乏ketsubō: A condition in which a necessary resource is present in far too small an amount.
欠如ketsujo: The lack of a necessary quality, part, or element.

Definition in Japanese

必要なものが足りず、求められる状態に達していないこと。hitsu yō na mo no ga ta ri zu moto me ra re ru jō tai ni tas shi te i na i ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 不足 (fusoku) combines 不 (fu, "not") with 足 (soku, "enough"), so its structure directly conveys insufficiency.

Usage tips

  • 不足 (fusoku) is more common in formal or written contexts than in casual conversation, where 足りない (tarinai) is often used instead.

Other meanings

  • lacknoun

Opposites

  • 充足jūsokusufficiencynoun
  • 余剰yojōsurplusnoun

Related words

  • 不足するfusokusurube insufficientverb
  • 不足感fusokukanfeeling of insufficiencynoun

Word lists with this word