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B1 adjective #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

足りない

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At the A1 level, '足りない' (tarinai) is taught as a simple way to say 'not enough' for everyday physical objects. Beginners use it to express immediate needs, such as not having enough money for a bus fare or not having enough water in a glass. The focus is on the basic [Noun] + ga + tarinai structure. Learners are encouraged to use it with concrete nouns they already know. It is a vital survival word for shopping and dining out. At this stage, the nuance between 'sukunai' and 'tarinai' is introduced simply: 'sukunai' is for a small amount, 'tarinai' is for when you need more. Examples usually involve money, food, and time in a very direct sense.

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At the A2 level, learners begin to use '足りない' in more varied grammatical structures. They learn to conjugate it into the past tense ('tarinakatta') and use it with basic conjunctions like 'kara' (because) or 'kedo' (but). The scope of nouns expands to include more abstract concepts like 'sleep' (suimin) or 'practice' (renshū). A2 learners also start to encounter the word in compound phrases and might begin to distinguish it from formal equivalents like 'tarite imasen.' They are expected to use it in simple social interactions, such as explaining why they couldn't finish homework or why they can't go out to eat.

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At the B1 level, the learner should have a firm grasp of the distinction between '足りない' and synonyms like '不足' (fusoku). B1 students use '足りない' to discuss more complex situations, such as a lack of experience, effort, or specific qualities in a project. They can use it to give feedback or express nuanced dissatisfaction ('mono-tarinai'). The focus shifts toward using 'tarinai' in conditional sentences ('tarinakereba...') and with probability ('tarinai darō'). At this level, students also learn to use 'tarinai' in relative clauses to modify nouns, such as 'tarinai bun' (the part that is missing/insufficient amount).

B2 learners use '足りない' with precision and can explain the 'why' behind the insufficiency. They are familiar with idiomatic uses and can identify when 'tarinai' is being used metaphorically. In business or academic contexts, they know to switch to '不足している' or '不十分' for a more professional tone, but they still use 'tarinai' for natural-sounding speech. They understand the nuances of adverbs like 'attōteki ni' (overwhelmingly) or 'wazuka ni' (slightly) when paired with 'tarinai.' They can also handle the causative and passive nuances of the base verb 'tariru' in complex discussions about resource management.

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At the C1 level, '足りない' is used with a high degree of linguistic flair. The speaker can use it to express philosophical or existential lacks. They are comfortable with archaic or literary variations like 'taru' (the classical form) and can understand complex idioms like 'taru o shiru' (to know when one has enough/contentment). C1 learners can analyze the use of 'tarinai' in literature or high-level journalism to understand the speaker's underlying bias or tone. They use the word to critique complex systems, theories, or pieces of art, focusing on the subtle 'gaps' in logic or aesthetics.

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For C2 learners, '足りない' is a tool for masterful expression. They understand the historical evolution of the word from the kanji '足' (foot/stand) and how it came to mean 'sufficiency.' They can use the word in high-stakes negotiations, subtle sarcasm, or profound poetry. They are aware of the most obscure regional variations or slang derived from 'tarinai.' At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a concept that they can manipulate to convey deep meaning, such as the 'wabi-sabi' of an intentionally 'incomplete' or 'insufficient' aesthetic.

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Used to express that something is insufficient for a specific purpose.
Grammatically the negative of the verb 'tariru' but used like an adjective.
Commonly paired with nouns like money, time, effort, and experience.
Implies a gap between the current state and a required threshold.

At its core, 足りない (tarinai) is the negative form of the verb tariru (足りる), which means 'to be sufficient' or 'to be enough.' In Japanese, however, this negative form is so frequently used that it functions almost like a standalone adjective in the minds of many learners. It describes a state where the quantity, quality, or degree of something does not meet a required threshold or expectation. Unlike the word sukunai (少ない), which simply means 'few' or 'small in number' as an objective observation, 足りない implies a specific lack relative to a goal or a need. For example, if you have three apples and you need five to bake a pie, you would say the apples are tarinai. If you simply have three apples and think that's a small amount, you might use sukunai.

Core Concept: The gap between what you have and what you need.
Subjectivity: It often reflects the speaker's personal requirements or the requirements of a specific situation.

時間が足りないから、急いでください。(Jikan ga tarinai kara, isoide kudasai.)

Translation: Because there isn't enough time, please hurry.

The word is versatile. It can refer to physical objects like money (okane), food (tabemono), or space (supēsu). However, it is also deeply embedded in abstract contexts. You might hear a teacher say a student's effort is doryoku ga tarinai (insufficient effort), or a critic say a movie's plot is mono-tarinai (unsatisfying/lacking something). In social contexts, it can even describe a person who is perceived as 'slow' or 'not quite all there' in a derogatory sense, though this is a very specific and less common idiomatic use.

お金が少し足りない。(Okane ga sukoshi tarinai.)

Translation: I'm a little short on money.

Culturally, Japanese communication often involves identifying what is 'missing' to maintain harmony or achieve perfection. Therefore, tarinai is a frequent visitor in project meetings, kitchen conversations, and self-reflections. It signals a need for action—either to acquire more of the missing element or to adjust the goal. It is not just a statement of fact; it is often a call for replenishment.

Emotional Nuance: Can convey frustration, regret, or a simple observation of necessity.

Grammatically, 足りない behaves like an i-adjective because it ends in ~nai, which is the standard negative auxiliary. The most common sentence pattern is [Noun] ga tarinai, where the particle ga identifies the specific thing that is insufficient. Because it is essentially the negative form of a verb, it can be conjugated. For example, if you want to say 'it was not enough' in the past tense, you would say tarinakatta. If you want to say 'it might not be enough,' you can use tarinai kamo shirenai.

昨日は睡眠が足りなかった。(Kinō wa suimin ga tarinakatta.)

Translation: I didn't get enough sleep yesterday.

One important aspect of using tarinai is its interaction with adverbs. To emphasize that something is significantly lacking, you can use zenzen (not at all) or mattaku (completely). Conversely, for a slight lack, you use chotto or sukoshi. This allows for a wide range of expression, from a minor inconvenience to a critical failure.

Common Adverbs: 全然 (zenzen), 少し (sukoshi), 圧倒的に (attōteki ni - overwhelmingly).

In formal settings, you might replace the plain tarinai with tarite imasen (the formal negative continuous form of tariru). While tarinai is perfectly acceptable in polite speech when followed by desu, tarite imasen sounds slightly more professional and descriptive of an ongoing state of insufficiency. For example, in a business report, you might write yosan ga tarite imasen (the budget is currently insufficient).

この料理は塩が足りない気がする。(Kono ryōri wa shio ga tarinai ki ga suru.)

Translation: I feel like this dish is lacking salt.

Furthermore, tarinai can be used with the particle de to indicate what is being used to meet a requirement. For instance, go-sen en de wa tarinai means '5,000 yen is not enough (for this purpose).' This structure is vital for negotiating prices or discussing resources.

Negative Potential: While 'tariru' is a verb, we rarely say 'tarirarenai'. We almost always use 'tarinai' even to express the inability to be enough.

You will encounter 足りない in almost every corner of Japanese life. In a supermarket, you might hear a shopper muttering that they don't have enough change (kozeni ga tarinai). In an office, a manager might complain that there aren't enough staff members to finish a project (hitode ga tarinai). This specific phrase, hitode ga tarinai, is a common social issue in Japan due to the aging population, often appearing in news headlines and economic discussions.

人手が足りないので、アルバイトを募集しています。(Hitode ga tarinai node, arubaito o boshū shite imasu.)

Translation: We are short-staffed, so we are recruiting part-time workers.

In the world of sports and hobbies, tarinai is used to describe a lack of practice or skill. A coach might tell an athlete, renshū ga tarinai! (Not enough practice!). It’s a word that drives improvement. In video games, you'll frequently see messages like MP ga tarinai (Not enough MP) or aitemu ga tarinai (Not enough items), making it one of the first words many gamers learn in Japanese.

Another common context is in relationships. While Japanese culture values indirectness, tarinai can be used to express that someone's affection or attention is insufficient, though this is often phrased as aishite kureru no ga tarinai (you don't love me enough) in more dramatic or intimate settings. More commonly, people use setsumei ga tarinai (the explanation was insufficient) to politely point out that they didn't understand something because the other person wasn't clear enough.

言葉だけでは足りないくらい感謝しています。(Kotoba dake de wa tarinai kurai kansha shite imasu.)

Translation: I am so grateful that words alone are not enough.

Modern Slang: Sometimes used on the internet to describe 'low quality' content or a 'lack' of logic in an argument.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing 足りない with sukunai (少ない). While both deal with small amounts, sukunai is an objective adjective meaning 'few' or 'not many.' For example, if you say tomodachi ga sukunai, it means you have few friends. This is just a fact. If you were to say tomodachi ga tarinai, it would imply that you have a specific number of friends needed for a task (like starting a soccer team) and you haven't reached that number yet.

❌ 砂糖が少ないです。 (Sato ga sukunai desu - when you meant you need more for a recipe)
✅ 砂糖が足りないです。 (Sato ga tarinai desu)

Another mistake is using tarinai to describe physical size or length. If a pair of pants is too short, you should use mijikai (短い), not tarinai. However, if you are measuring fabric and you don't have enough length to finish a project, then tarinai becomes appropriate. The distinction lies in whether you are describing the attribute of the object (short) or the availability of the resource (not enough length).

Learners also sometimes struggle with the particle ni versus ga. While ga marks the thing that is missing, ni can mark the destination or the purpose that the thing is insufficient for. For example: Seikatsu ni wa okane ga tarinai (Money is insufficient for living). Confusing these can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.

Mistake: Overusing 'Nai': Avoid saying 'fujuubun nai' (not insufficient). Stick to 'tariru' (sufficient) or 'tarinai' (insufficient).

❌ 経験が足りる。 (Keiken ga tariru - This sounds unnatural for 'I have enough experience')
✅ 経験は十分だ。 (Keiken wa jūbun da - Use 'jūbun' for 'sufficient' usually)

While 足りない is the most common way to say 'not enough,' Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific type of 'lack' being discussed. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Japanese from B1 to B2 and beyond.

不足している (Fusoku shite iru): A more formal, often technical or journalistic term. Used for 'shortages' like water shortages (mizu-busoku) or lack of exercise (undō-busoku).
欠けている (Kakete iru): Literally means 'chipped' or 'missing a piece.' Used when something that should be there is absent, like a missing ingredient or a person's lack of common sense (jōshiki ni kakete iru).
不十分 (Fujūbun): Meaning 'inadequate' or 'unsatisfactory.' This focuses on the quality or the 'completeness' of something, like an explanation or a piece of evidence.

その説明では不十分です。(Sono setsumei de wa fujūbun desu.)

Translation: That explanation is inadequate.

When you want to express that something is 'almost enough but just a bit short,' you can use the expression ato ippo tarinai (one step short). If you want to say something is 'unsatisfying' because it lacks a certain 'oomph,' use mono-tarinai. This is a very common compound adjective used for food that needs more spice or a story that needs more excitement.

In literary or very formal contexts, you might see toboshii (乏しい), which means 'scarce' or 'meager.' This is often used for resources like 'natural resources' (shizen shigen ga toboshii) or 'imagination' (sōzōryoku ni toboshii). It carries a more poetic or grave weight than the everyday tarinai.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji for 'foot' (足) is used because if you have 'feet' to stand on, you are 'sufficiently' equipped. It also appears in '遠足' (ensoku - excursion/long foot journey).

Aussprachehilfe

UK ta.ɾi.na.i

US tɑ.ri.nɑ.i

Heiban (Flat) pitch accent. The pitch stays relatively level after an initial rise, or slightly drops at the end depending on the sentence context.

Reimt sich auf

Abunai (dangerous) Sukunai (few) Kitanai (dirty) Tsumaranai (boring) Okaeri (welcome back - partial) Shiranai (don't know) Mottainai (wasteful) Arienai (impossible)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'ri' like the English 'ree' with a rounded 'r'.
Stress-timing the syllables instead of giving them equal mora length.
Mispronouncing the 'ai' diphthong as two separate vowels with a break.
Applying English word stress to the second syllable.
Shortening the final 'i' too much.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Kanji is simple (Level N4), but nuances are B1.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires understanding of negative verb conjugation.

Sprechen 2/5

Very common and easy to drop into conversation.

Hören 2/5

Clearly audible in most contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

足 (ashi) ある (aru) ない (nai) お金 (okane) 時間 (jikan)

Als Nächstes lernen

十分 (jūbun) 不足 (fusoku) 満足 (manzoku) 欠ける (kakeru) 補う (oginau)

Fortgeschritten

足るを知る (taru o shiru) 数に足りない (kazu ni tarinai) 取るに足りない (toru ni tarinai)

Wichtige Grammatik

Negative form of Ichidan verbs

足りる -> 足りない

Using 'ga' for subjects of state

時間が足りない

Adverbial modification

全然足りない

Noun modification with adjectives

足りない分を足す

Conditional 'nara'

足りないなら言ってください

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Beispiele nach Niveau

お金が足りない。

I don't have enough money.

Simple [Noun] ga [Adjective] structure.

水が足りないです。

There is not enough water.

Adding 'desu' for politeness.

椅子が足りない。

There are not enough chairs.

Counting physical objects.

時間が足りない！

Not enough time!

Expressing urgency.

塩が足りないです。

There isn't enough salt.

Usage in cooking.

ペンが足りない。

There aren't enough pens.

Simple classroom context.

ご飯が足りない。

There isn't enough rice.

Daily life context.

電気が足りない。

There isn't enough electricity.

Basic resource lack.

昨日は寝る時間が足りなかった。

I didn't have enough time to sleep yesterday.

Past tense 'tarinakatta'.

練習が足りないから、負けました。

We lost because we didn't practice enough.

Using 'kara' (because) to show cause.

この部屋は光が足りないね。

This room lacks light, doesn't it?

Using 'ne' for agreement.

お金が足りないなら、買わないで。

If you don't have enough money, don't buy it.

Conditional 'nara' (if).

準備がまだ足りないと思います。

I think the preparations are still insufficient.

Using 'to omoimasu' (I think).

野菜が足りない食事は良くない。

A meal lacking vegetables is not good.

Modifying a noun via a relative clause.

言葉が足りなくて、すみません。

I'm sorry for not explaining enough (lacking words).

Te-form for giving a reason.

チケットが足りないかもしれません。

We might not have enough tickets.

Using 'kamo shirenai' (might).

努力が足りないと言われました。

I was told that my effort was insufficient.

Passive reporting 'to iwaremashita'.

この計画は具体性が足りない。

This plan lacks specificity.

Abstract noun usage.

経験が足りないけれど、頑張ります。

I lack experience, but I will do my best.

Using 'keredo' (although).

何かが足りない気がするんだよね。

I feel like something is missing.

Expressing an intuitive feeling.

予算が全然足りなくて困っている。

I'm in trouble because the budget is not enough at all.

Emphasis with 'zenzen'.

説明が足りない部分はありますか？

Are there any parts where the explanation was insufficient?

Formal inquiry.

睡眠不足で集中力が足りない。

I lack concentration due to lack of sleep.

Linking two concepts of 'lack'.

君には慎重さが足りないよ。

You lack caution.

Personal critique.

圧倒的に人手が足りない状況です。

We are in a situation where we are overwhelmingly short-staffed.

Adverbial emphasis 'attōteki ni'.

証拠が足りないので、逮捕できません。

Since there is insufficient evidence, we cannot make an arrest.

Logical cause and effect.

彼の話は説得力に足りない。

His story lacks persuasiveness.

Using 'ni' to mark the quality lacking.

資材が足りなくなる恐れがあります。

There is a fear that materials will become insufficient.

Using 'osore ga aru' (fear/risk of).

一歩足りないところで負けてしまった。

I lost just one step short (of the goal).

Idiomatic 'ippo tarinai'.

この映画は、どこか物足りない。

This movie is somehow unsatisfying.

Compound word 'mono-tarinai'.

今の給料では生活費に足りない。

The current salary is not enough for living expenses.

Purpose marking with 'ni'.

自信が足りないせいでチャンスを逃した。

I missed the chance because I lacked confidence.

Using 'sei de' (due to/fault of).

その議論は論理的整合性に足りない。

That argument lacks logical consistency.

High-level academic terminology.

感謝してもしきれない、言葉に足りない。

I cannot thank you enough; words are insufficient.

Rhetorical emphasis.

現代社会には心のゆとりが足りない。

Modern society lacks mental leeway/peace of mind.

Social commentary.

この作品は独創性が決定的に足りない。

This work is decisively lacking in originality.

Strong adverb 'kitteiteki ni'.

配慮が足りなかったことを深く反省します。

I deeply reflect on the fact that my consideration was insufficient.

Formal self-reflection.

資源の足りない日本は技術で勝負した。

Japan, lacking in resources, competed through technology.

Historical/Economic context.

愛が足りない家庭で育った子供たち。

Children who grew up in homes lacking love.

Psychological context.

彼はまだ指導者としての器に足りない。

He is not yet of the caliber (vessel) to be a leader.

Metaphorical 'utsuwa' (vessel/caliber).

万事において、彼は詰めが足りない。

In everything, he lacks the final touch/follow-through.

Idiom 'tsume ga tarinai'.

真理を語るには、この言葉では足りぬ。

To speak the truth, these words are not enough (archaic/literary).

Using archaic negative '~nu'.

足るを知る者は富み、足りぬを嘆く者は貧しい。

He who knows he has enough is rich; he who laments what is lacking is poor.

Classical proverb 'taru o shiru'.

その詩は、情感の迸りに足りない感がある。

That poem feels like it lacks a sufficient burst of emotion.

Highly literary aesthetic critique.

法整備が足りない隙を突いた犯罪だ。

It is a crime that exploited the gaps where legal preparation was insufficient.

Legal/Journalistic nuance.

想像力が足りない人間に未来は拓けない。

The future cannot be opened for those who lack imagination.

Philosophical statement.

筆舌に尽くしがたい、言い足りない思い。

Feelings that are hard to describe, feelings that remain unexpressed.

Idiomatic '言い足りない' (unspeakable/unexpressed).

彼の演技は、狂気が一分足りない。

His acting is missing just a tiny bit (ichibu) of madness.

Quantifying lack with 'ichibu' (one part/tenth).

Häufige Kollokationen

時間が足りない

お金が足りない

経験が足りない

努力が足りない

説明が足りない

人手が足りない

睡眠が足りない

勇気が足りない

言葉が足りない

塩が足りない

Häufige Phrasen

まだ足りない

— Still not enough. Used when something has been added but it's still below the threshold.

これだけではまだ足りない。

全然足りない

— Not enough at all. Expresses a large deficit.

時間が全然足りない。

ちょっと足りない

— A little short. Expresses a minor deficit.

あと百円ちょっと足りない。

一歩足りない

— One step short. Used when someone almost succeeds but fails at the end.

優勝まであと一歩足りなかった。

言い足りない

— To have more to say; to not have said enough.

まだ言い足りないことがある。

聞き足りない

— To not have heard enough; to want to hear more.

彼の話は聞き足りない。

寝足りない

— To not have slept enough.

今日は寝足りない気分だ。

物足りない

— Unsatisfying; lacking something (usually 'oomph' or quality).

このドラマは物足りない。

底が足りない

— Lacking depth (often used for thinking or character).

彼の考えは底が足りない。

器が足りない

— Lacking the capacity or caliber for a role.

リーダーとしての器が足りない。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

足りない vs 少ない (sukunai)

Sukunai means 'few' (objective), while Tarinai means 'not enough' (relative to a goal).

足りない vs 短い (mijikai)

Mijikai is for physical length; Tarinai is for quantity/sufficiency.

足りない vs 欠ける (kakeru)

Kakeru implies a specific part is missing from a whole; Tarinai is more general.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"詰めが足りない"

— Lacking the final touch or follow-through on a task.

彼は仕事は早いが、詰めが足りない。

Common

"足るを知る"

— To be content with what one has (from Laozi).

幸せの秘訣は足るを知ることだ。

Literary

"言葉に足りない"

— Beyond words; cannot be expressed in words.

その美しさは言葉に足りない。

Formal

"取るに足りない"

— Worthless; insignificant; not worth taking up.

それは取るに足りない問題だ。

Neutral

"数に足りない"

— Not worth counting; insignificant in number.

そんな反対意見は数に足りない。

Formal

"満足に足りない"

— Unsatisfactory; not enough to satisfy.

結果は満足に足りないものだった。

Formal

"信を置くに足りない"

— Not worth trusting; unreliable.

彼の言葉は信を置くに足りない。

Formal

"恐れるに足りない"

— Nothing to be afraid of.

敵は恐れるに足りない。

Literary

"疑うに足りない"

— No room for doubt; certain.

その事実は疑うに足りない。

Formal

"感謝してもしきれない"

— Cannot thank enough (related concept of insufficiency).

皆様には感謝してもしきれません。

Polite

Leicht verwechselbar

足りない vs 少ない

Both indicate a small amount.

Sukunai is a standalone description of quantity. Tarinai requires a context of 'how much is needed'.

Tomodachi ga sukunai (Few friends). Tomodachi ga tarinai (Need more friends for a party).

足りない vs 不足

Both mean lack.

Fusoku is a noun/suru-verb, more formal and used for systems. Tarinai is an adjective/verb-form, used for personal/daily lack.

Suimin-busoku (Sleep shortage). Suimin ga tarinai (Not enough sleep).

足りない vs 不十分

Both mean insufficient.

Fujūbun focuses on the quality or the 'level' of something being unsatisfactory.

Fujūbun na setsumei (Inadequate explanation).

足りない vs 乏しい

Both mean scarce.

Toboshii is literary and implies a pathetic or grave lack of resources/talent.

Sōzōryoku ni toboshii (Lacking in imagination).

足りない vs 欠如

Both mean lack.

Ketsujo is very formal and often used for abstract qualities like 'responsibility' or 'morals'.

Sekinin-kan no ketsujo (Lack of sense of responsibility).

Satzmuster

[Noun] が足りない。

お金が足りない。

[Noun] が足りなかった。

時間が足りなかった。

[Noun] が全然足りない。

努力が全然足りない。

[Verb-stem] 足りない。

言い足りない。

[Noun] には [Noun] が足りない。

生活にはお金が足りない。

[Noun] が足りなくなる。

水が足りなくなる。

[Noun] に足りない感がある。

独創性に足りない感がある。

[Noun] に足りぬ。

取るに足りぬ。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

不足 (fusoku) Shortage/Insufficiency

充足 (jūzoku) Sufficiency/Satisfaction

Verben

足りる (tariru) To be enough

足す (tasu) To add

満たす (mitasu) To fill/satisfy

Adjektive

物足りない (monotarinai) Unsatisfying

不十分な (fujūbun-na) Inadequate

Verwandt

欠乏 (ketsubō - scarcity)

欠如 (ketsujo - lack)

欠員 (ketsuin - vacancy)

補足 (hosoku - supplement)

蛇足 (dasoku - superfluous addition)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely common in daily life, media, and literature.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'sukunai' for 'not enough'. → Tarinai
Sukunai is just 'few'; Tarinai is 'insufficient for a goal'.
Using 'o' particle. → Okane ga tarinai
Tarinai is an intransitive verb form/adjective, so it takes 'ga'.
Using 'tarinai' for height. → Se ga hikui
Tarinai is for quantity, not physical dimensions like height.
Saying 'tarirarenai'. → Tarinai
The potential negative is rarely used; 'tarinai' covers 'cannot be enough'.
Confusing 'tarinai' with 'iranai'. → Tarinai
Iranai means 'don't want/don't need'. Tarinai means 'need more'.

Tipps

Check the Goal

Before using 'tarinai', ask yourself: 'Is there a specific amount I need?' If yes, use 'tarinai'. If no, use 'sukunai'.

Particle Choice

Always use 'ga' (が) for the thing that is lacking. 'Jikan ga tarinai' is the standard pattern.

Softening a Lack

When telling someone they didn't do enough, use 'sukoshi tarinai' (a little lacking) to be more polite.

Masculine Slang

In very casual anime-style speech, you might hear 'tarinee'. Avoid using this in real professional life!

Mono-tarinai

Use 'mono-tarinai' for food that needs more flavor or movies that are a bit boring.

Kanji vs Hiragana

The kanji '足' is almost always used. Writing it only in hiragana 'たりない' is also common in casual texts.

Verb Stem + Tarinai

You can attach 'tarinai' to verb stems. 'Nemi-tarinai' (didn't sleep enough) is a great one to know.

Ato + Amount

Pair 'tarinai' with 'ato' to say exactly what's missing: 'Ato 100-en tarinai'.

Wabi-Sabi

In Japanese art, sometimes being 'tarinai' (incomplete) is considered beautiful.

Hitode-busoku

Memorize 'hitode ga tarinai' as a set phrase for 'short-staffed'. It's very useful in Japan.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Tally' (Tari). If the 'Tally' is 'Nai' (not there), then you don't have enough! Tally-nai = Not enough.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a glass that is only half full when you are very thirsty. The water is 'tarinai' for your thirst.

Word Web

Money Time Effort Lack Insufficient Tariru Sukunai Gap

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your room today that are 'tarinai'. Maybe it's the light, the space, or the number of snacks!

Wortherkunft

Derived from the classical Japanese verb 'taru' (足る). The kanji '足' originally depicted a foot. In ancient times, the concept of a foot 'reaching' the ground or 'completing' a step led to the metaphorical meaning of reaching a full measure or being sufficient.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To reach a certain level or to be complete.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'tarinai' to describe people (e.g., 'atama ga tarinai'), as it is an insult implying low intelligence.

English speakers often use 'lack' or 'short of', but 'tarinai' is much more common in daily Japanese than 'insufficient' is in daily English.

The phrase 'Taru o shiru' (足るを知る) from the Tao Te Ching. Video game UI: 'MP ga tarinai' is iconic in Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. The song 'Nanika ga Tarinai' by various J-pop artists.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Shopping

お金が足りない
小銭が足りない
あと100円足りない
予算が足りない

Cooking

塩が足りない
材料が足りない
火力が足りない
味が足りない

Work

人手が足りない
時間が足りない
資料が足りない
説明が足りない

Health

睡眠が足りない
運動が足りない
栄養が足りない
水分が足りない

Sports/Hobbies

練習が足りない
体力が足りない
集中力が足りない
経験が足りない

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、何が一番足りないと感じますか？ (What do you feel is lacking most lately?)"

"一日に24時間では足りないと思いませんか？ (Don't you think 24 hours a day is not enough?)"

"この街には何が足りないと思いますか？ (What do you think is lacking in this town?)"

"仕事で人手が足りなくて困ったことはありますか？ (Have you ever been in trouble due to a shortage of staff at work?)"

"日本料理を食べて、何かが足りないと思ったことはありますか？ (Have you ever eaten Japanese food and felt something was missing?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

「時間が足りない」と感じた時のことを詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about a time you felt 'time is not enough'.)

あなたの今の生活で、足りないものと十分なものをリストアップしてください。 (List things that are lacking and things that are sufficient in your current life.)

「足るを知る」という言葉について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the phrase 'knowing what is enough'?)

もしお金が足りなくて欲しいものが買えなかったら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if you didn't have enough money to buy something you wanted?)

自分のスキルで「まだ足りない」と思う部分は何ですか？ (What part of your skills do you think is 'still not enough'?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Grammatically, it is the negative form of the verb 'tariru' (to be sufficient). However, it is used so often as a predicate that it functions like an i-adjective in many contexts.

Yes, but be careful. Saying someone is 'tarinai' usually implies they are mentally lacking or slow, which is very offensive.

'Tarinai' is the common, everyday word. 'Fusoku' is more formal and used for technical shortages like 'water shortage' (mizu-busoku).

Use the past tense: 'tarinakatta desu' or 'tarimasen deshita'.

No. For height, use 'hikui' (short/low). 'Tarinai' is for quantity or meeting a requirement.

Yes, 'tariru' is used to say 'it is enough'. For example, 'Sore de tarimasu' (That will be enough).

It means 'unsatisfying' or 'lacking something'. It's used when something is okay but lacks a certain special quality.

Use 'zenzen tarinai' or 'mattaku tarinai'.

Yes, but 'fusoku shite iru' or 'fujūbun' is often preferred for written reports.

It is '足' followed by 'りない'. The kanji '足' means foot or sufficient.

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