不足
bù zú HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

我们的时间不足。
Wǒmen de shíjiān bùzú.
We don't have enough time.
他的经验不足。
Tā de jīngyàn bùzú.
His experience is insufficient.
这个城市的水不足。
Zhège chéngshì de shuǐ bùzú.
This city doesn't have enough water.
时间不足。
Shíjiān bùzú.
Time is insufficient.
资金不足。
Zījīn bùzú.
Funds are inadequate.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 不 (bù) means 'not,' and 足 (zú) means 'foot' or 'sufficient.' Think of 'not sufficient'—like not having enough feet to stand firmly, implying inadequacy.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It frequently appears in contexts discussing resources, conditions, or personal states, such as health, finances, time, or effort.

📖 Grammar Points

不足 often follows a noun to form a subject-predicate structure (e.g., 睡眠不足). It can also be used before a noun as an attributive (e.g., 不足之处, meaning 'shortcomings'). It is commonly seen in the pattern 'Noun + 不足' to state a deficiency.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, acknowledging one's '不足' (shortcomings) is often viewed as a sign of humility and self-awareness, especially in educational or professional settings. It's a common concept in self-improvement discourses.

🔄 Similar Words

不够 (bùgòu) also means 'not enough' but is more casual and often used for tangible quantities (e.g., 钱不够). 不足 is slightly more formal and can describe abstract deficiencies (e.g., 经验不足). 缺乏 (quēfá) means 'to lack' and is stronger, implying a more severe absence.

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