Chinese word

缺口

Pronunciation

Pinyinquē kǒu

Meaning

  • noungap

Example

墙上有一个缺口，可以透风。qiáng shàng yǒu yí gè quē kǒu ké yǐ tòu fēng

There is a gap in the wall that lets air through.

Illustration for 缺口 (gap)

More examples

我国在某些领域仍存在技术缺口。wǒ guó zài mǒu xiē lǐng yù réng cún zài jì shù quē kǒu

Our country still has technology gaps in some fields.

Core concept

A missing piece in a surface or structure leaves an opening that may let something through or expose a weakness.

Common phrases

  • 技术缺口jì shù quē kǒu

    technology gap

  • 堵住缺口dǔ zhù quē kǒu

    plug the gap

Similar words

缝隙fèng xì: A narrow space between surfaces that touch or nearly touch, sometimes allowing air or light through.
裂缝liè fèng: A long, narrow crack in a surface caused by splitting.
裂口liè kǒu: An opening shaped like a mouth and formed when something splits or tears.

Definition in Chinese

指物体表面或结构上因破损、缺失或连接不良而形成的开口或空隙，也可比喻指存在的缺陷或漏洞。zhǐ wù tǐ biǎo miàn huò jié gòu shàng yīn pò sǔn quē shī huò lián jiē bù liáng ér xíng chéng de kāi kǒu huò kòng xì yě kě bǐ yù zhǐ cún zài de quē xiàn huò lòu dòng

Word origin

缺 (quē, "be missing") + 口 (kǒu, "opening") treats an absent part as an opening, which also supports the figurative sense of a flaw or loophole.

Usage tips

  • The noun works for a wall, fence, or window, and it can also describe a weakness in a plan or system, so context shows whether the problem is physical or abstract.

Other meanings

  • cracknoun
  • deficiencynoun

Word lists with this word