Chinese word

缺少

Pronunciation

Pinyinquē shǎo

Meaning

  • verbbe short of

Example

我们缺少时间。wǒ men quē shǎo shí jiān

We are short of time.

Illustration for 缺少 (be short of)

More examples

新项目因为缺少人手，进展很慢。xīn xiàng mù yīn wèi quē shǎo rén shǒu jìn zhǎn hěn màn

The new project is progressing slowly because it is short of staff.

Core concept

Something needed is missing or too limited for a situation to work as required.

Common phrases

  • 缺少时间quē shǎo shí jiān

    be short of time

  • 缺少经验quē shǎo jīng yàn

    lack experience

  • 缺少人手quē shǎo rén shǒu

    be short of staff

Similar words

不够bú gòu: Not reach the amount or degree needed for a purpose.
不足bù zú: Be insufficient to satisfy a requirement or support a task.

Definition in Chinese

缺乏必需的东西或条件，数量或程度不足以应付要求。quē fá bì xū de dōng xī huò tiáo jiàn shù liàng huò chéng dù bù zú yǐ yìng fù yāo qiú

Word origin

缺 (quē, "be missing") describes absence, while 少 (shǎo, "few") describes a small amount, so their combination conveys an inadequate supply.

Usage tips

  • English learners may connect this verb with missing a person or an opportunity, but its practical use centers on an unmet need in a situation.

Other meanings

  • be missingverb
  • insufficientadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word