Translation guide
Expresses insufficiency in quantity, degree, or quality. Japanese uses various negative forms of 'enough' or 'sufficient', often with 足りない (tarinai) or 十分 (juubun) in the negative.
To say there is not enough of something countable or measurable.
The most common and versatile way to say 'not enough'. It is the negative form of 足りる (tariru), meaning 'to be sufficient'. Can be used for both concrete and abstract things.
Literally 'not enough' or 'not sufficient'. Slightly more formal than 足りない. Often used when a standard or requirement is not met.
この量は十分じゃない。
This amount is not enough.
Means 'to be lacking' or 'insufficient'. More formal and often used in written or business contexts.
人手が不足している。
We are short-staffed. (lit. Manpower is insufficient.)
To say something falls short of a needed level, such as quality, skill, or effort.
Also used for abstract insufficiency. Very natural in casual and formal speech.
彼の説明は足りない。
His explanation is not enough (insufficient).
努力が足りない。
Your effort is not enough.
Formal or written way to say 'insufficient'. Often used in evaluations or reports.
証拠が不十分だ。
The evidence is insufficient.
To say there is not enough of something to do a particular action.
Pattern: noun + のに足りない. Means 'not enough to (verb)'. The verb is implied by context or follows in a separate clause.
食べるのに足りない。
It's not enough to eat.
買うのに足りないお金。
Money that is not enough to buy (it).
Similar to above, but には emphasizes the purpose or standard. Often used with nouns indicating a goal.
合格するには足りない点数だ。
The score is not enough to pass.
To strongly emphasize insufficiency, often in casual speech.
Colloquial contraction of 足りない. Common in very casual spoken Japanese.
まだ足んないよ。
It's still not enough!
Adds 全然 (zenzen) 'not at all' for emphasis. Very common in everyday speech.
これじゃ全然足りない。
This is nowhere near enough.
足りない is more common in daily conversation and feels more direct. 十分じゃない is slightly more formal and often used when comparing to a standard. Both are interchangeable in many contexts.
給料が足りない。
My salary isn't enough (to live on).
給料が十分じゃない。
My salary is not sufficient.
Do not say ない十分 (nai juubun). The correct negative form is 十分じゃない or 十分ではない.