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N3

Kanji 欠: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 欠: lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76)

Key takeaways

Kanji 欠: lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76). Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

欠
N3

Meaning

lackgapfailyawning radical (no. 76)

On reading

ケツケン

Kun reading

か.けるか.く

Radical

欠

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 欠

lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76)

Kanji structure breakdown

欠

Structure breakdown

欠 + 勹 + 人

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This character is a pictograph of a person with their mouth wide open, yawning. Since yawning typically occurs when one lacks sleep or energy, it came to represent 'lack' or 'deficit.' Associate it with situations where something is missing, such as an 'absence' or 'shortage.'

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ケツ
  • 欠乏けつぼう

    shortage / lack / scarcity

  • 不可欠ふかけつ

    indispensable / essential

Kun reading

か.ける
  • 欠くかく

    to lack / to be missing / to chip

  • 欠けるかける

    to be missing / to lack

Commonly used words

  • 欠乏
    けつぼう

    shortage / lack / scarcity

  • 不可欠
    ふかけつ

    indispensable / essential

  • 欠く
    かく

    to lack / to be missing / to chip

  • 欠ける
    かける

    to be missing / to lack

Example sentences

Example 1

彼の計画には大切な部分が欠いている。

Translation

An important part is missing from his plan.

Example 2

この皿は端が少し欠いている。

Translation

This plate is chipped a little at the edge.

Example 3

水の欠乏で作物が育たない。

Translation

Crops don’t grow due to water shortage.

Example 4

資金の欠乏で新しい事業が始められない。

Translation

The new business can’t start due to a lack of funds.

Kanji 欠: lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76) | Daily Nihongo