How to say "scarcity" in Japanese

• 不足ふそくJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, na-adjectiveCovers an ordinary shortage or shortfall: not enough of something needed or expected, such as sleep, water, funds, or supplies. For most cases where English says 'shortage' or 'lack', this is the word.
  食糧しょくりょうが不足ふそくしている。↗

  Food has been in short supply.
• 欠乏けつぼうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbPoints to a deeper or more critical lack than 不足: something essential is deficient or missing outright, not merely in short supply. Think of a scarcity of resources or a deficiency of oxygen or nutrients.
  知識ちしきは欠乏けつぼうしており、知恵ちえはさらに乏とぼしい。↗

  Knowledge is scarce; wisdom is scarcer.

Use 不足 for an ordinary shortage or shortfall — not enough of something needed; choose 欠乏 when the lack is deeper or more critical, the thing being deficient or missing outright rather than merely in short supply.

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

• 不足ふそくinsufficiency
• 欠乏けつぼうdeficiency
• 少なげすくなげscarcity
• 希少性きしょうせいscarcity
• 払底ふっていshortage