Korean word

부족

Pronunciation

Romanizationpujok

Meaning

  • nounlack

Example

시간 부족 때문에 회의에 늦었어요.si gan pu jok ttae mu ne hoe ui e neu seo sseo yo

I was late for the meeting because I did not have enough time.

Illustration for 부족 (lack)

More examples

물이 부족해서 꽃에 물을 못 줬어요.mu ri pu jo kae seo kko che mu reul mot chwo sseo yo

Because there was not enough water, I couldn't water the flowers.

프로젝트는 자금 부족으로 중단되었다.peu ro jek teu neun cha geum pu jo geu ro chung dan doe eot tta

The project was halted because of a lack of funds.

Core concept

A missing amount or quality keeps a need from being fully met.

Common phrases

  • 시간 부족si gan pu jok

    lack of time

  • 수면 부족su myeon pu jok

    lack of sleep

  • 자금 부족cha geum pu jok

    lack of funds

Similar words

모자람mojaram: A physical item or amount of time is lacking when more is needed.

Definition in Korean

무엇이 충분하지 않아 더 보충하거나 채워야 할 필요가 있는 상태를 가리키는 명사.mu eo si chung bun ha ji a na teo po chung ha geo na chae wo ya hal pi ryo ga in neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean elements mean not and enough, so the word directly expresses the idea that something falls short of what is needed.

Usage tips

  • The word works for both things that can be measured and less visible needs such as ability or preparation, making it useful beyond physical supplies.

Other meanings

  • insufficiencyadjective

Opposites

  • 충분chungbunsufficiencynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word