缺

• Pinyin: quē
• Hanzi breakdown: 缺 = 缶 (clay jar) + 夬 (to break through), depicting a jar with a gap or chip — something incomplete

Meaning

To lack; to be short of; to be missing. Indicates the absence of something needed.

Used for lacking physical things (缺水 = lacking water, 缺钱 = short of money), people (缺人 = short-staffed), and abstract things (缺经验 = lacking experience). Very direct and common in everyday speech. Often appears in compounds: 缺少, 缺乏, 缺点, 缺席.

Examples

1. 我们班还缺一个同学没来。 Our class is still missing one student who hasn't come.
2. 这个地方很缺水，大家要节约用水。 This place really lacks water — everyone needs to conserve.
3. 你的报告里缺了一页。 Your report is missing a page.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, resources, problems

Tone: matter-of-fact

Do Say

• 家里缺盐了，你去买点儿吧。(We're out of salt at home — go buy some.)
• 这个团队缺一个有经验的人。(This team is missing an experienced person.)

Don't Say

• 我缺开心。(Don't use 缺 directly with emotions — say 我不太开心 or 我缺少快乐 instead.)

Origin & History

缺 contains 缶 (a clay jar) with a break or notch — a vessel with a chip or gap, representing something incomplete or missing a piece.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal