供不应求
Traditional: 供不應求
gōng bù yìng qíu HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这种新产品供不应求。
Zhè zhǒng xīn chǎnpǐn gōngbùyìngqiú.
This new product is in short supply.
疫情期间口罩供不应求。
Yìqíng qījiān kǒuzhào gōngbùyìngqiú.
During the pandemic, masks were in short supply.
热门商品常常供不应求。
Rèmén shāngpǐn chángcháng gōngbùyìngqiú.
Popular goods often have demand exceeding supply.
这种产品供不应求。
Zhè zhǒng chǎnpǐn gōngbùyìngqiú.
This product is in short supply.
房子供不应求。
Fángzi gōngbùyìngqiú.
Houses are in short supply.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 供 (gōng - supply) 不 (bù - not) 应 (yìng - respond to) 求 (qiú - demand). Think: 'The supply CANNOT answer the call of demand.' Imagine a storekeeper (supply) shrugging helplessly while a crowd (demand) shouts for more.

📝 Usage Notes

This idiom is neutral in formality and is commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in business, economic, and news contexts. It is frequently employed to describe popular products, seasonal goods, or market shortages.

📖 Grammar Points

It functions as a predicate or an attributive. As a predicate: '商品供不应求。' As an attributive, often followed by 的: '供不应求的商品。' It is a fixed idiom, so its internal structure (供-不-应-求) is not altered.

🏯 Cultural Notes

This term reflects the rapid growth and consumer dynamics of China's market economy. It's often seen in discussions about hot new products, real estate, or during festivals (like the example with Spring Festival) when demand for specific goods spikes.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to '短缺' (shortage) which is a simpler term for a lack of something. '供不应求' specifically frames the situation as a relationship between supply (供) and demand (求), making it more descriptive of a market dynamic.

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