Chinese word

不够

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù gòu

Meaning

  • adjectivenot enough

Example

钱不够了。qián bú gòu le

There isn't enough money.

Illustration for 不够 (not enough)

More examples

睡觉时间不够。shuì jiào shí jiān bú gòu

There isn't enough time to sleep.

Core concept

Something stops before it reaches the amount or standard needed for a purpose.

Common phrases

  • 不够用bú gòu yòng

    not enough to use

  • 钱不够qián bú gòu

    not enough money

Similar words

少shǎo: Small in amount, so not sufficient for a need.

Definition in Chinese

表示数量、时间、条件或能力等未达到满足需要或达到标准的程度。biǎo shì shù liàng shí jiān tiáo jiàn huò néng lì děng wèi dá dào mǎn zú xū yào huò dá dào biāo zhǔn de chéng dù

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") negates 够 (gòu, "enough"), creating a compact word for falling below what a situation requires.

Usage tips

  • When a child checks a price, this word describes the money available, and Chinese places it after the amount being judged.

Other meanings

  • shortagenoun
  • fall shortverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word