欠如

• Reading: けつじょ
• Romaji: ketsujo
• Kanji breakdown: 欠 (ketsu) — lack, deficiency; 如 (jo) — like, as if
• Pronunciation: /ke.tsɯ.dʑo/

Meaning

Lack; absence; deficiency of something essential.

A する verb describing the absence or shortage of something important, often used critically. More formal and emphatic than 不足 (insufficiency). Commonly used in academic and journalistic writing. Typical patterns: Xの欠如 (lack of X), 欠如している (is lacking). Often refers to abstract qualities like awareness or responsibility.

Examples

1. 責任感の欠如が今回の問題を引き起こした。 A lack of accountability caused this problem.
2. この計画には現実性が欠如している。 This plan lacks practicality.
3. コミュニケーション能力の欠如は仕事に支障をきたす。 A lack of communication skills can interfere with work.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, journalism, criticism

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 欠 (lack, deficiency) + 如 (like, as if). 如 here functions as a verbal complement, forming a formal expression for being in a state of lack.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal