不够

§ What 不够 (bùgòu) means

不够 (bùgòu) is a super common and practical Chinese word. It literally means 'not enough' or 'insufficient.' You'll use it all the time to express that something isn't quite up to snuff, whether it's an amount, a quality, or even a feeling.

DEFINITION

Not enough; insufficient; inadequate.

Think of it as the opposite of 够 (gòu), which means 'enough' or 'sufficient.' When you add the negative character 不 (bù) in front of 够 (gòu), you get the direct negative meaning.

You can use 不够 (bùgòu) in a variety of situations. Here are some of the most common:

• Quantities: When you don't have enough of something.
• Qualities: When something isn't good enough or doesn't meet a certain standard.
• Time/Space: When there isn't enough time or room for something.
• Abstract concepts: When something isn't sufficient in an abstract sense, like not being brave enough or not thinking enough.

§ How to use 不够 (bùgòu) in sentences

The structure is pretty straightforward. You usually place 不够 (bùgòu) before the noun, adjective, or verb that it's modifying. It acts a lot like 'not enough' in English.

1. Not enough of a quantity

This is probably the most common use. You're talking about a lack of physical things or countable items.

TRANSLATION HINT

Money not enough. (Not enough money.)

TRANSLATION HINT

Time not enough already. (There isn't enough time.)

TRANSLATION HINT

Our manpower not enough. (We don't have enough staff.)

2. Not good enough (quality or standard)

Here, 不够 (bùgòu) modifies an adjective or a verb to say that something doesn't meet a certain level or expectation.

TRANSLATION HINT

This piece of clothing not enough big. (This clothes isn't big enough.)

TRANSLATION HINT

Your answer not enough clear. (Your answer isn't clear enough.)

TRANSLATION HINT

He do-ing things not enough good. (What he did wasn't good enough.)

3. Expressing abstract insufficiency

Sometimes, 不够 (bùgòu) is used for less tangible things, like courage, effort, or even patience.

TRANSLATION HINT

He not enough brave. (He isn't brave enough.)

TRANSLATION HINT

You think (particle) not enough much. (You haven't thought enough.)

§ Common phrases with 不够 (bùgòu)

Here are a few common expressions you'll hear and use often:

• 不够意思 (bùgòu yìsi): This is a bit more idiomatic. It means 'not thoughtful enough' or 'not doing enough for someone.' It can imply being stingy or unkind.
• 不够格 (bùgòu gé): Not qualified; not up to standard.

TRANSLATION HINT

He act like this a bit not enough thought/meaning. (What he did was a bit inconsiderate.)

TRANSLATION HINT

His experience not qualified. (His experience isn't up to par.)

So, next time you want to say 'not enough' in Chinese, remember 不够 (bùgòu). It's simple, direct, and incredibly useful in everyday conversations.

§ What does Bù Gòu (不够) mean?

Chinese Word

不够 (bù gòu)

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Not enough; insufficient.

§ How to use Bù Gòu (不够) in a sentence

Bù gòu (不够) is a straightforward adjective meaning "not enough" or "insufficient." It's commonly used to express a lack of something, whether it's time, money, food, or even ability. You can place it directly before the noun or verb it modifies.

§ Basic Usage: Bù Gòu + Noun

The simplest way to use bù gòu is to put it directly before the noun you're talking about.

Translation Hint

Wǒ méiyǒu bù gòu shíjiān.
I don't have enough time.

Translation Hint

Qián bù gòu.
The money is not enough.

§ Bù Gòu + Verb/Adjective

You can also use bù gòu before a verb or another adjective to say that something is not sufficient to perform an action, or not sufficient in quality.

Translation Hint

Zhège fángjiān bù gòu dà.
This room is not big enough.

Translation Hint

Wǒ de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng bù gòu hǎo.
My Chinese level is not good enough.

Translation Hint

Tā chī de bù gòu duō.
He didn't eat enough.

In these cases, bù gòu functions almost like an intensifier, but in the negative. It expresses that the degree of the adjective or the extent of the verb is not up to par.

§ Expressing "Not enough for..."

When you want to specify what something is not enough *for*, you can often follow bù gòu with a phrase indicating the purpose or recipient.

Translation Hint

Zhèxiē qián bù gòu mǎi fángzi.
This money is not enough to buy a house.

Translation Hint

Shíjiān bù gòu wǒmen wánchéng rènwu.
There isn't enough time for us to finish the task.

§ Common Mistakes and Tips

• Don't confuse bù gòu (不够) with méiyǒu (没有) in all contexts. While méiyǒu means "don't have," bù gòu specifically implies a lack of sufficiency.

• Bù gòu can sometimes be used in a slightly critical way, implying something *should* be enough but isn't. For example, if you say "你不够努力" (nǐ bù gòu nǔlì - you are not hardworking enough), it carries a sense of dissatisfaction.

§ Mistakes people make with 不够

Many learners, especially at the A2 level, make a few common mistakes when using 不够. Let's look at them so you can avoid them.

§ Mistake 1: Using 不够 like a verb for "lack"

Sometimes learners try to use 不够 as if it means "to lack" or "to be without" something, like a verb. But 不够 is an adjective. It describes a quantity or a quality as being insufficient.

Wrong

我 不够 钱。

This is incorrect because 不够 isn't a verb that takes an object directly like this. You need to say "my money is not enough" or "I don't have enough money."

Correct

我的钱不够。

Correct

我没有足够的钱。

§ Mistake 2: Confusing 不够 with 没有

While both relate to a lack of something, they are not interchangeable. 没有 means "to not have" or "there isn't." 不够 means "not enough."

Example:

你有没有水？ (Do you have water?)

Here, 没有 means a complete absence. But if you have some water, but not enough for what you need, you would use 不够:

§ Mistake 3: Incorrectly placing 不够 with verbs

When 不够 modifies a verb, it usually comes after the verb to indicate that the action is not done sufficiently or to a high enough standard.

Wrong

他 不够 高兴。

While this might sound like "he is not happy enough," the more natural and correct way for this specific meaning is:

Or, if you mean he isn't very happy at all, you might use other adverbs like 不太 or 不怎么.

Another example:

你做得不够好。(You didn't do it well enough.)

Here, 不够 modifies 好 (well), which is a complement to the verb 做 (do). It describes the degree of the action.

§ Summary of Mistakes

• Don't use 不够 as a verb for "lack"; it's an adjective meaning "not enough."
• Understand the difference between 没有 (absence) and 不够 (insufficiency).
• Place 不够 correctly, often after a verb or adjective it modifies to express insufficiency of an action or quality.

By keeping these points in mind, you'll use 不够 more accurately and sound more natural in your Chinese conversations.

§ What Does Bùgòu Mean?

The Chinese word 不够 (bùgòu) literally means 'not enough'. It's a really practical word you'll hear and use a lot in daily conversations. Think of it as the opposite of 够 (gòu), which means 'enough'. When you use 不够, you're indicating a lack of something, whether it's time, money, people, or even quality.

DEFINITION

Not enough.

§ Using Bùgòu in Sentences

Let's look at some examples to see how 不够 (bùgòu) works in real life. It's pretty straightforward, but pay attention to where it usually sits in a sentence.

Translation hint: The money is [not enough], I can't afford to buy it.

Translation hint: Time is [not enough], we have to leave.

Translation hint: This room is [not enough] big.

Translation hint: His Chinese level is still [not enough] good.

§ Similar Words and When to Use Bùgòu vs Alternatives

While 不够 (bùgòu) is your go-to for 'not enough', there are a few other phrases that express similar ideas. Understanding the nuances will help you sound more natural.

• 不够 (bùgòu): This is the most common and versatile way to say 'not enough'. It can refer to quantity, quality, time, or ability. It's direct and works in almost any situation where something is lacking to meet a requirement or expectation.

  我们的人手不够。

  Translation hint: Our manpower is [not enough].

• 不足 (bùzú): This also means 'insufficient' or 'not enough', but it often carries a slightly more formal or technical tone than 不够. You might see it in written reports or more academic contexts. It can also imply a deficiency or a weakness.

  资金不足。

  Translation hint: Funds are [insufficient].

• 欠缺 (qiànquē): This word means 'to lack' or 'to be short of'. It implies a more specific absence of something necessary, often a quality or a skill. It's a bit stronger than 不够 in suggesting a fundamental missing element.

  他欠缺经验。

  Translation hint: He [lacks] experience.

• 缺少 (quēshǎo): Similar to 欠缺, 缺少 means 'to lack' or 'to be short of'. It can refer to both tangible and intangible things. It's less formal than 欠缺 and more interchangeable with 不够 when talking about a simple lack of something.

  我们还缺少一个人。

  Translation hint: We are still [missing] one person.

  In summary, 不够 is your everyday 'not enough'. 不足 leans towards formal insufficiency. 欠缺 and 缺少 both mean 'to lack', with 欠缺 often implying a more critical absence of a quality or skill.