缺少 quēshǎo to lack
to lack; be short of; be deficient in
How to remember 缺少: 缺 lack + 少 few = to lack.
Characters
How it is used
- To lack / be short of - 缺少经验 (quēshǎo jīngyàn) lack experience; 缺少人手 short of hands.
- 缺 (be missing) + 少 (few); the object is what's insufficient or absent.
- Near-synonym 缺乏 (quēfá) is more formal/abstract; 缺少 is the everyday 'not have enough of'. Both take an object of what's missing.
Example sentences
- 这家公司正缺少人手。 Zhè jiā gōngsī zhèng quēshǎo rénshǒu.This company is short-handed.
- 水是生命所不可缺少的。 Shuǐshì shēngmìng suǒ bùkě quēshǎo de.Water is essential to life.