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pénurie
/pe.ny.ʁi/
shortage
La pénurie de médicaments a aggravé la crise sanitaire.
The shortage of medicines worsened the health crisis.
formal
A severe lack or shortage of something essential, especially goods or resources.
La pénurie d'eau a forcé les habitants à rationner leur consommation.
The water shortage forced residents to ration their consumption.
Les pénuries alimentaires sont fréquentes dans les zones de conflit.
Food shortages are common in conflict zones.
Often used in economic, social, or humanitarian contexts to describe critical shortages.
Collocations
pénurie deshortage offaire face à une pénurieto face a shortage
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'pénurie' for severe shortages, not minor or temporary ones.
Gold Rule
Formal Usage
This word is formal and typically used in serious contexts like economics or humanitarian crises.
Word Origin
From Old French 'penurie', from Latin 'penuria', meaning 'poverty' or 'scarcity'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal contexts to describe critical shortages of essential goods or resources. Avoid using it for minor or temporary shortages.
Word Breakdown
pénurie
shortage
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais