Translation guide
The English word 'shortage' refers to a lack or insufficient amount of something needed. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on what is lacking and the context. Common expressions include 不足 (fusoku) for general insufficiency, 足りない (tarinai) for not enough, and 不足する (fusoku suru) for formal statements. For specific shortages like personnel or funds, compound words like 人手不足 (hitodebusoku) or 資金不足 (shikinfusoku) are used.
Expressing that there is not enough of something in general, or that something is lacking.
A noun meaning shortage, deficiency, or insufficiency. Can be used with が (ga) to indicate what is lacking, or as a suffix in compound words.
水が不足している。
There is a shortage of water.
経験不足で失敗した。
I failed due to a lack of experience.
The negative form of 足りる (tariru, to be enough). Used in casual speech to say something is not enough or insufficient.
お金が足りない。
I don't have enough money.
時間が足りなくて、終わらなかった。
I didn't have enough time, so I couldn't finish.
A more formal or technical term for scarcity or dearth, often used in economic or medical contexts.
食料の欠乏が深刻だ。
The food shortage is serious.
A formal, somewhat literary term for scarcity or exhaustion of supply. Rare in everyday conversation.
物資が払底している。
Supplies are running short.
Referring to a shortage of a particular resource, such as workers, money, or materials.
Shortage of workers or manpower. Very common in business and daily life.
この店は人手不足だ。
This store is short-staffed.
Shortage of funds or capital.
資金不足でプロジェクトが止まった。
The project stopped due to a shortage of funds.
Shortage of goods or stock. Often used in retail or supply contexts.
Expressing a shortage or deficiency in non-physical things like ability, understanding, or effort.
Used as a suffix with nouns indicating abstract qualities to mean 'lack of ~'.
彼は注意力不足だ。
He lacks attention to detail.
運動不足で体がなまっている。
I'm out of shape due to lack of exercise.
Pattern: [noun] + が足りない. Used to say there is not enough of a quality or thing.
努力が足りない。
You're not putting in enough effort.
説明が足りなかったかもしれない。
Maybe my explanation was insufficient.
Formal term for lack or absence, often used in psychological or social contexts.
Using verbs to express the state of lacking something.
Suru-verb meaning 'to be insufficient' or 'to run short'. Formal and often used in reports.
食料が不足している地域がある。
There are areas where food is running short.
Phrase meaning 'to become insufficient' or 'to run out'. More colloquial than 不足する.
ガソリンが足りなくなりそうだ。
It looks like we're going to run out of gas.
Verb meaning 'to lack' or 'to be missing'. Often used in set phrases like 常識を欠く (lack common sense).
彼はリーダーシップを欠いている。
He lacks leadership.
不足 (fusoku) is a noun and can be used in formal contexts or as a suffix. 足りない (tarinai) is the negative form of the verb 足りる and is more colloquial. Use 不足 for written reports or compound words, and 足りない in everyday conversation.
予算が不足している。
The budget is insufficient. (formal)
予算が足りない。
The budget isn't enough. (casual)
English 'shortage' is often translated as 不足, but in many cases it's more natural to use 足りない or a specific compound. Don't force 不足 into every context; consider the nuance.
品不足で注文できない。
I can't order because of the stock shortage.
Supply shortage; insufficient supply. Used in economics and business.
半導体の供給不足が続いている。
The semiconductor supply shortage continues.
The lack of a sense of responsibility is the problem.