Japanese word

欠乏

Pronunciation

Romajiketsubō

Meaning

  • nounlack

Example

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.

Illustration for 欠乏 (lack)

More examples

長期的な水の欠乏は農業に大きな影響を与えます。chō ki teki na mizu no ketsu bō wa nō gyō ni ō ki na ei kyō o ata e ma su

A long-term lack of water has a major impact on agriculture.

Core concept

Centers on having less of something necessary than a situation requires.

Common phrases

  • 睡眠の欠乏sui min no ketsu bō

    lack of sleep

  • 酸素の欠乏san so no ketsu bō

    lack of oxygen

  • 欠乏を補うketsu bō o ogina u

    make up for a lack

Similar words

不足fusoku: A state in which a necessary amount of something is not available.
欠如ketsujo: The absence of something that is needed or expected.

Definition in Japanese

必要な物や資源が十分に足りない状態。hitsu yō na mono ya shi gen ga jū bun ni ta ri na i jō tai

Word origin

It combines 欠 (ketsu, "lack") and 乏 (bō, "scarcity") in a Sino-Japanese compound for an insufficient supply.

Usage tips

  • 欠乏 (ketsubō) is a formal word often used in reports about food, resources, or other necessities rather than in casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • shortagenoun
  • deficiencynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 欠乏感ketsubōkansense of lacknoun
  • 欠乏するketsubōsurulackverb

Word lists with this word