Chinese word

缺陷

Pronunciation

Pinyinquē xiàn

Meaning

  • nounflaw

Example

他的性格有缺陷，但很善良。tā de xìng gé yǒu quē xiàn dàn hěn shàn liáng

His personality has flaws, but he is very kind.

Illustration for 缺陷 (flaw)

More examples

这款产品存在缺陷，需要召回。zhè kuǎn chán pǐn cún zài quē xiàn xū yào zhào huí

This product has defects and needs to be recalled.

Core concept

A break in an otherwise sound whole that keeps it from working or holding up fully.

Common phrases

  • 有缺陷yǒu quē xiàn

    have flaws

  • 存在缺陷cún zài quē xiàn

    have defects

  • 弥补缺陷mí bǔ quē xiàn

    remedy defects

  • 发现缺陷fā xiàn quē xiàn

    detect defects

Similar words

缺点quē diǎn: An undesirable point or shortcoming in a person, thing, or way of doing something.
毛病máo bìng: A problem or fault that keeps a machine, body, or way of doing something from working normally.
弱点ruò diǎn: A weak part of a person's ability or character that needs to be faced or improved.
瑕疵xiá cī: A small blemish or defect visible on a product or work, affecting its appearance or quality.

Definition in Chinese

事物或人的某一方面不完善的地方，会导致功能、性能或质量下降。shì wù huò rén de mǒu yì fāng miàn bù wán shàn de dì fāng huì dǎo zhì gōng néng xìng néng huò zhì liàng xià jiàng

Word origin

缺 (quē, "lack") + 陷 (xiàn, "sink into a hollow") forms a compound for a weak spot where something falls short of being complete or sound.

Usage tips

  • When it describes a person, the word can sound blunt because it treats an imperfection as a definite deficiency rather than a temporary problem.

Other meanings

  • shortcomingnoun
  • weaknessnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 缺陷率quē xiàn lǜdefect ratenoun

Word lists with this word