缺

quē
#873 most
frequent character
be short of, lack
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

缺 combines 缶, a ceramic vessel, as the meaning part with 夬 guài as the sound part. It first meant to smash a ceramic container. The meaning grew to lack or be short of something, and then to be scarce or a deficiency.

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Example Sentences

这盒子里缺少很多东西。
zhè hézǐ lǐ quēshǎo hěnduō dōngxī 。
There are many things missing in this box.
如果你缺钱，可以跟我借。
rúguǒ nǐ quē qián ， kěyǐ gēn wǒ jiè 。
If you are short of money, you can borrow from me.
这本书缺了一页。
zhè běn shū quē leyī yè 。
This book is missing a page.

Words with similar meanings

不足bùzú
insufficient
This synonym emphasizes a deficiency in quantity or degree.
缺乏quēfá
lack
This term stresses a persistent absence or scarcity of something.

Words Starting With 缺

缺少quē shǎo
lack; shortage of; shortfall; to be short (of); to lack
缺点quē diǎn
weak point; fault; shortcoming
缺乏quē fá
shortage; be lacking; to be short of; to lack; scarcity
缺口quē kǒu
nick; jag; gap; shortfall
缺席quē xí
absence; absent

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