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缺少
quē shǎo
lack
我们缺少经验。
We lack experience.
neutral
To be without or deficient in something necessary or expected.
这里缺少阳光。
There is a lack of sunlight here.
这个项目缺少资金。
This project lacks funding.
Used for tangible and intangible things (e.g., resources, qualities, conditions).
formal
To be missing or absent; to have an insufficient amount.
缺少必要的文件会影响审批。
Missing necessary documents will affect approval.
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing '缺少'
In English, 'lack' is more versatile and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. '缺少' is slightly more formal in Chinese and often implies a temporary or situational deficiency rather than a permanent state.
Gold Rule
Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject of '缺少' must be the thing that is deficient (e.g., '缺少资金' = 'funding is lacking'), not the entity experiencing the lack (e.g., NOT '他缺少资金' unless rephrased as '他缺少资金'). For personal lack, use '缺乏' (e.g., '他缺乏经验').
Word Origin
Composed of 缺 (quē, 'to be short of') and 少 (shǎo, 'few'). The compound emphasizes deficiency or inadequacy.
Usage Notes
1. Often used in formal or neutral contexts; less common in casual speech. 2. Can be used as a verb ('to lack') or in passive constructions ('is lacking'). 3. Avoid using with abstract nouns that imply inherent absence (e.g., 'lack of love' is better expressed as '缺乏爱' or '没有爱').
Word Breakdown
缺
to be short of; deficient
root少
few; little
root汉英词典