How to say "lack" in Japanese

• 欠如けつじょCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'lack' as the outright absence of something needed or expected, treating it as a state or condition; typical of abstract discussion, as of a lack of ability, care, or evidence.
  それは相互そうご理解りかいの欠如けつじょがもとになっていると思おもう。↗

  I think that is based on a lack of mutual understanding.
• 欠けつCommon
  nounSeldom the word you want for 'lack' in ordinary sentences; where it does stand alone it points to a vacancy — a missing slot or unfilled place — rather than a shortage of something.
• 欠落けつらくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbFocuses on something that is missing or has been left out of a whole it belongs in — an absence or omission, as of data from a file or an entry from a record.
  男女だんじょ関係かんけいにおける嫉妬しっとはしばしば信頼しんらいの欠落けつらくによってもたらされる。↗

  Jealousy in a relationship is often brought about by a lack of trust.
• 不足ふそくJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, na-adjectiveThe word to reach for when something is in short supply — there is not enough of it for what is needed, as with sleep, money, food, or time.
  食糧しょくりょうが不足ふそくしている。↗

  Food has been in short supply.
• 不備ふびCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveReally points to a defect or imperfection — a plan, document, or arrangement that is incomplete or inadequate — rather than a lack of some substance or resource; use it when 'lack' means 'inadequacy'.

Use 不足 for a plain shortage of something needed, 欠如 for abstract absence, 欠落 for something missing or omitted from a whole, 不備 for inadequacy or defects, and 欠 is rarely the word you want on its own.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 欠如けつじょlack
• 欠けつlack
• 欠落けつらくlack
• 不足ふそくinsufficiency
• 不備ふびdefect
• 欠乏けつぼうdeficiency
• 事欠くことかくto lack
• 不存在ふそんざいnon-existence
• 欠失けっしつdeficiency
• 欠くかくto lack
• 貧困ひんこんshortage
• 不自由ふじゆうpoverty