Use '不够' to express insufficiency in quantity, degree, ability, or time.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates a lack of quantity or degree.
- Used in daily conversations and various situations.
- Means 'not enough' or 'insufficient'.
Overview
“不够”是一个非常常用的汉语词汇，表示数量、程度、能力或资源上的不足。它用来描述某事物未能达到所需的水平、标准或期望。这个词的用法广泛，可以用于日常生活的各种场景，从物质到抽象的概念都可以使用。
**评价**：对某人某事进行评价，指出其不足之处。
“不足”比“不够”更书面化，常用于正式场合或书面语，强调的是一种客观上的欠缺或缺陷。例如：“睡眠不足会导致健康问题。” “不够”则更口语化，更侧重于主观感受或直接的描述。例如：“我睡得不够。”
“太少”和“不够”意思接近，但“太少”更强调数量上的极度不足，语气可能更重一些。例如：“这点钱太少了，根本不够用。” “不够”则是一个相对客观的陈述。
“缺少”强调的是某物本应存在却不存在，或者数量上明显有缺失。例如：“他缺少了一份重要的文件。” “不够”则更侧重于数量或程度上的不足，即使存在，但数量或程度也达不到要求。例如：“我水喝得不够。”
Examples
这点米不够我们吃一星期的。
everydayThis amount of rice is not enough for us to eat for a week.
他的经验还不够丰富，不能胜任这个项目。
workHis experience is not yet sufficient; he cannot take charge of this project.
天黑得太快了，我们时间不够用了。
informalIt got dark too quickly; we're running out of time.
目前的证据还不够充分，无法得出明确结论。
academicThe current evidence is not sufficient enough to draw a definitive conclusion.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
时间不够用
not have enough time to use
火力不够
not enough heat (cooking)
吃得不够
not eat enough
Often Confused With
'不足' is often more formal and objective, highlighting a deficit. '不够' is more common in spoken language and can express a subjective feeling of insufficiency.
'缺少' implies something is missing entirely or there's a noticeable absence. '不够' means there is something, but the quantity or degree is insufficient.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
1. '不够' is a very versatile adjective commonly used in everyday conversation. 2. It can modify abstract concepts like ability, experience, or time, as well as concrete things like money or food. 3. Be mindful of register; while ubiquitous in speech, '不足' might be preferred in very formal writing.
Common Mistakes
1. Using '不够' directly before a noun without '的' is generally incorrect (e.g., '不够的书' instead of '书不够' or '的书不够'). 2. Confusing '不够' with '缺少' when something is completely absent rather than just insufficient. 3. Overusing '不够' in highly formal contexts where '不足' would be more appropriate.
Tips
Think Quantity and Degree
Remember '不够' for when something is lacking in amount or level.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While common, '不够' can sound too informal in very academic or official written texts. Consider '不足' instead.
Expressing Needs and Limits
Using '不够' is a direct way to communicate personal needs or limitations, reflecting a pragmatic approach to daily life.
Word Origin
The word '不够' is a combination of '不' (not) and '够' (enough). It directly translates to 'not enough'. Its usage is straightforward and has remained consistent.
Cultural Context
The concept of '不够' reflects a practical awareness of limitations and needs in daily life. It's a common way to negotiate resources, time, or effort in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of '不够' as 'not GO!' when you need more resources or time to achieve something.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“不够”更口语化，强调主观感受或直接描述数量、程度不足。 “不足”更书面化，常用于正式语境，指出客观上的欠缺或缺陷。
“不够”可以用在很多地方，比如形容数量（钱不够）、程度（不够好）、能力（能力不够）、时间（时间不够）等等。
一般情况下，“不够”作为形容词，后面不直接跟名词。如果要修饰名词，通常会说“不够的XX”，但更常见的用法是“XX不够”。例如：“时间不够”而不是“不够的时间”。
“不够”本身就表示否定，即“不是足够的”。它的反义词是“足够”或“够”。
Test Yourself
我的钱______买这件衣服。
这里描述的是钱的数量不足以支付衣服的价格，用‘不够’最合适。
下列哪句话正确地使用了“不够”？
“时间不够”是正确的用法，表示时间不足。
请用“时间”、“我们”、“走”、“赶紧”、“不够”这几个词语组成一个完整的句子。
这个句子逻辑清晰，表达了因为时间不足所以需要赶紧离开的意思。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '不够' to express insufficiency in quantity, degree, ability, or time.
- Indicates a lack of quantity or degree.
- Used in daily conversations and various situations.
- Means 'not enough' or 'insufficient'.
Think Quantity and Degree
Remember '不够' for when something is lacking in amount or level.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While common, '不够' can sound too informal in very academic or official written texts. Consider '不足' instead.
Expressing Needs and Limits
Using '不够' is a direct way to communicate personal needs or limitations, reflecting a pragmatic approach to daily life.
Examples
4 of 4这点米不够我们吃一星期的。
This amount of rice is not enough for us to eat for a week.
他的经验还不够丰富，不能胜任这个项目。
His experience is not yet sufficient; he cannot take charge of this project.
天黑得太快了，我们时间不够用了。
It got dark too quickly; we're running out of time.
目前的证据还不够充分，无法得出明确结论。
The current evidence is not sufficient enough to draw a definitive conclusion.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
