補足

• Reading: ほそく
• Romaji: hosoku
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho) — supplement, fill, compensate; 足 (soku) — suffice, enough, foot
• Pronunciation: /ho.so.kɯ/

Meaning

Supplement; complement; additional explanation. Extra information added to make something more complete.

A noun and suru-verb describing the act of adding supplementary information: 補足説明 (supplementary explanation), 補足する (to supplement/add to). Very common in presentations, meetings, and academic writing. Unlike 追加 (tsuika, addition), which adds something new, 補足 fills in gaps or clarifies what was already said. Often used politely: 一点補足させてください (allow me to add one point).

Examples

1. 一点補足させてください。 Allow me to add one point.
2. 資料には補足説明を付けておいた。 I added a supplementary explanation to the materials.
3. 先ほどの説明に補足がある方はいますか。 Does anyone have anything to add to the explanation from earlier?

Usage Guide

Context: meetings, presentations, academia

Tone: polite

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 補 (ho, supplement/fill) + 足 (soku, suffice/enough). Literally 'supplement to make sufficient' — adding what is needed to complete something.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated