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B1 adjective #5,000 most common 11 min read

匮乏

kuìfá Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 匮乏 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 匮乏 in your Level:

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

匮乏 in 30 Seconds

A severe, formal lack of essential resources or things.
More intense than '缺乏' (quē fá), implying significant problems.
Used for serious shortages like food, water, or funds.
Common in news, academic writing, and formal speeches.

Meaning: The Chinese word 匮乏 (kuì fá) is an adjective that describes a severe lack or scarcity of something essential, particularly resources, money, or even abstract things like talent or time. It carries a stronger and more formal tone than the more common word 缺乏 (quē fá), which simply means 'to lack'. Think of 匮乏 as a more intense, often more problematic, deficiency.
Usage Context: You'll typically encounter 匮乏 in contexts discussing serious shortages, economic hardship, or situations where a lack of critical elements hinders progress or survival. It's often used in news reports, academic discussions, or formal speeches when referring to societal issues, historical accounts, or significant challenges. For example, a country might face a long-term resource 匮乏, or an artist might lament the lack of inspiration, describing it as 创作灵感的匮乏. It implies a significant deficit that has noticeable and often negative consequences. While 缺乏 can be used for everyday lacks, like 'I lack time' (我缺乏时间), 匮乏 suggests a more profound and impactful absence, such as 'the region suffers from a severe water 匮乏' (该地区饱受水资源匮乏之苦). The intensity of 匮乏 makes it suitable for describing situations of genuine hardship or critical shortages.

In times of war, a nation often faces severe food 匮乏.

Comparison with 缺乏: While both 匮乏 and 缺乏 mean 'to lack', 匮乏 is significantly more intense and formal. 缺乏 is a general term for not having enough of something. For instance, you might say 'I lack confidence' (我缺乏自信) or 'This report lacks detail' (这份报告缺乏细节). These are common, everyday uses. However, when discussing widespread poverty, a critical shortage of essential goods, or a significant deficit in a vital area, 匮乏 is the more appropriate and impactful word. For example, 'The developing country is experiencing a serious capital 匮乏' (这个发展中国家正经历严重的资金匮乏) paints a much more serious picture than if one were to use 缺乏 in such a context. The choice between them depends on the severity of the lack and the desired tone.

Abstract vs. Concrete: 匮乏 can be used for both concrete things like money and resources, and abstract concepts like talent, knowledge, or even emotional support. For instance, a research institution might suffer from a lack of funding (资金匮乏), while a community might struggle with a lack of skilled labor (技术人才匮乏). The key is that the absence causes a significant problem or limitation.

The region's talent 匮乏 hindered its technological development.

Basic Sentence Structure: The most common structure is Subject + 匮乏 + 的 + Noun. This means 'the noun's scarcity' or 'a lack of the noun'. Alternatively, you can say Subject + 匮乏 + (Noun), meaning 'Subject suffers from a lack of (Noun)'.

该地区的水资源匮乏。
Gāi dìqū de shuǐzīyuán kuìfá.
The region suffers from a scarcity of water resources.

Emphasizing the Lack: To emphasize the severity, you can add adverbs like '严重' (yánzhòng - severe) or '极其' (jíqí - extremely) before 匮乏. For example, '严重的资源匮乏' (yánzhòng de zīyuán kuìfá) means 'severe resource scarcity'.

由于长期战争，他们面临着严重的食物匮乏。
Yóuyú chángqí zhànzhēng, tāmen miànlínzhe yánzhòng de shíwù kuìfá.
Due to long-term war, they are facing a severe shortage of food.

Using it with Verbs: You can also use it in sentences where the subject experiences or suffers from the lack. For example, '我们缺乏资金' (Wǒmen quēfá zījīn) means 'We lack funds'. However, for a more formal and impactful statement of severe lack, you might say '我们面临资金匮乏' (Wǒmen miànlín zījīn kuìfá), meaning 'We are facing a scarcity of funds'.

这个项目因技术人才匮乏而停滞不前。
Zhège xiàngmù yīn jìshù réncái kuìfá ér tíngzhì bù qián.
This project has stalled due to a scarcity of technical talent.

Abstract Nouns: 匮乏 is frequently used with abstract nouns to describe a deficiency in non-material things. Examples include '灵感的匮乏' (línggǎn de kuìfá - lack of inspiration), '知识的匮乏' (zhīshì de kuìfá - lack of knowledge), or '经验的匮乏' (jīngyàn de kuìfá - lack of experience).

他的演讲因缺乏深度而显得平淡，但我们不能说知识匮乏。
Tā de yǎnjiǎng yīn quēfá shēndù ér xiǎnde píngdàn, dàn wǒmen bùnéng shuō zhīshì kuìfá.
His speech seemed bland due to a lack of depth, but we cannot say there is a scarcity of knowledge.

Formal Tone: Remember that 匮乏 is a formal word. You would use it in writing, news, academic contexts, or when discussing serious societal issues. It's less likely to be used in casual, everyday conversation unless the situation is genuinely dire.

在偏远山区，教育资源的匮乏是一个普遍存在的问题。
Zài piānyuǎn shānqū, jiàoyù zīyuán de kuìfá shì yīgè pǔbiàn cúnzài de wèntí.
In remote mountainous areas, the scarcity of educational resources is a widespread problem.

News and Current Affairs: News reports frequently use 匮乏 to describe serious shortages impacting populations or economies. You'll hear about '粮食匮乏' (liángshí kuìfá - food scarcity), '水资源匮乏' (shuǐzīyuán kuìfá - water resource scarcity), '医疗资源匮乏' (yīliáo zīyuán kuìfá - scarcity of medical resources), or '资金匮乏' (zījīn kuìfá - lack of funds). These reports often highlight the humanitarian or economic consequences of such deficiencies.

国际社会正在努力解决该地区粮食匮乏的问题。
Guójì shèhuì zhèngzài nǔlì jiějué gāi dìqū liángshí kuìfá de wèntí.
The international community is striving to solve the problem of food scarcity in the region.

Academic and Research Papers: In academic contexts, 匮乏 is used to discuss limitations in research, data, or resources. For instance, a paper might mention '数据匮乏' (shùjù kuìfá - data scarcity) as a limitation of a study, or discuss the '人才匮乏' (réncái kuìfá - talent shortage) in a particular field. It's also common in economics and sociology to describe societal issues.

该领域的研究匮乏阻碍了其进一步发展。
Gāi lǐngyù de yánjiū kuìfá zǔ'ài le qí jìnyībù fāzhǎn.
The scarcity of research in this field has hindered its further development.

Formal Speeches and Essays: When someone wants to make a strong point about a significant lack, especially in a formal setting, 匮乏 is often employed. A politician might speak about the '公共服务匮乏' (gōnggòng fúwù kuìfá - lack of public services) in certain areas, or an essay might discuss the '创新精神的匮乏' (chuàngxīn jīngshén de kuìfá - lack of innovative spirit) in a society.

我们需要警惕文化的匮乏，并努力加以丰富。
Wǒmen xūyào jǐngtì wénhuà de kuìfá, bìng nǔlì jiāyǐ fēngfù.
We need to be vigilant against the poverty of culture and strive to enrich it.

Discussions on Development and Challenges: In discussions about developing countries, historical hardships, or specific challenges faced by communities, 匮乏 is a common term. It might be used to describe '自然资源匮乏' (zìrán zīyuán kuìfá - scarcity of natural resources) or '发展机会的匮乏' (fāzhǎn jīhuì de kuìfá - lack of development opportunities).

Using 匮乏 for Minor Lacks: One of the most common mistakes is using 匮乏 when 缺乏 (quē fá) would be more appropriate. 匮乏 implies a severe, often critical, shortage. Using it for minor inconveniences or everyday lacks sounds overly dramatic and unnatural. For example, saying '我的手机匮乏电' (Wǒ de shǒujī kuìfá diàn - My phone is severely lacking electricity) is incorrect. You would simply say '我的手机没电了' (Wǒ de shǒujī méi diàn le - My phone is out of battery) or '我的手机缺电' (Wǒ de shǒujī quē diàn - My phone lacks power/is low on battery), though the former is more common.

Incorrect: 我的耐心匮乏了。
Wǒ de nàixīn kuìfá le.
(Incorrect) My patience is severely lacking.

Ignoring Formality: 匮乏 is a formal word. Using it in very casual settings, like chatting with close friends about trivial matters, can sound pretentious or out of place. For instance, telling a friend '我的零食匮乏' (Wǒ de língshí kuìfá - My snacks are severely lacking) when you just ran out of chips is an overstatement. You'd be better off saying '我的零食吃完了' (Wǒ de língshí chī wán le - I finished my snacks).

Incorrect: 昨晚聚会的笑声匮乏。
Zuówǎn jùhuì de xiàoshēng kuìfá.
(Incorrect) The party last night was severely lacking in laughter.

Incorrect Word Order or Grammatical Structure: While 匮乏 itself is an adjective, it often functions as a noun phrase modifier or part of a larger noun phrase. A common mistake is to use it directly as a verb without proper context or structure. For example, instead of saying '我们匮乏资金' (Wǒmen kuìfá zījīn - We lack funds), which is grammatically awkward, it's better to say '我们面临资金匮乏' (Wǒmen miànlín zījīn kuìfá - We are facing a scarcity of funds) or describe the situation as '资金的匮乏' (zījīn de kuìfá - the scarcity of funds).

Incorrect: 他的经验匮乏了。
Tā de jīngyàn kuìfá le.
(Incorrect) His experience is severely lacking.

Confusing with 缺少 (quēshǎo): While 缺乏 (quē fá) is the most common confusion, 缺少 (quēshǎo) is another word for 'lack' or 'missing'. 缺少 often implies something is missing from a set or a pair, or a specific item is absent. 匮乏 is about a general, severe deficiency. For example, '我缺少一支笔' (Wǒ quēshǎo yī zhī bǐ - I am missing a pen) is correct, but '我的笔匮乏' (Wǒ de bǐ kuìfá) would be wrong and nonsensical. 匮乏 is never used for a single missing item.

缺乏 (quē fá): Comparison: This is the most common alternative and the closest in meaning. However, 缺乏 is less intense and more general than 匮乏. It can be used for everyday lacks, while 匮乏 implies a severe, significant deficit.
Usage: Use 缺乏 for general lacks like 'lack of confidence' (缺乏自信), 'lack of sleep' (缺乏睡眠), or 'lack of experience' (缺乏经验). Use 匮乏 for serious shortages like 'water resource scarcity' (水资源匮乏) or 'capital scarcity' (资金匮乏).
Example:
缺乏: 我缺乏耐心。(Wǒ quēfá nàixīn.) I lack patience.
匮乏: 偏远地区的教育资源匮乏。(Piānyuǎn dìqū de jiàoyù zīyuán kuìfá.) The educational resources in remote areas are scarce.

短缺 (duǎnquē): Comparison: Shortage, deficit. This word often refers to a temporary or specific shortage of goods or supplies, especially when demand exceeds supply. It's more about quantity than a general state of lack. 匮乏 is more about a fundamental lack.
Usage: Use 短缺 when discussing specific items that are in short supply, like '药品短缺' (yàopǐn duǎnquē - medicine shortage) or '劳动力短缺' (láodònglì duǎnquē - labor shortage).
Example:
短缺: 市场上橙子短缺。(Shìchǎng shàng chéngzi duǎnquē.) There is a shortage of oranges in the market.
匮乏: 发展中国家的技术匮乏。(Fāzhǎn zhōng guójiā de jìshù kuìfá.) The scarcity of technology in developing countries.

缺少 (quēshǎo): Comparison: Missing, lack. This is similar to 缺乏 but often implies a specific item is missing from a set or a pair, or that something is absent that should be present. It's less about a severe general deficiency and more about something being absent.
Usage: Use 缺少 for missing items or components, like '我缺少一个按钮' (Wǒ quēshǎo yī gè ànniǔ - I am missing a button) or '报告缺少关键数据' (Bàogào quēshǎo guānjiàn shùjù - The report is missing key data).
Example:
缺少: 这张照片缺少了背景。(Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn quēshǎo le bèijǐng.) This photo is missing the background.
匮乏: 长期的资金匮乏影响了项目进度。(Chángqí de zījīn kuìfá yǐngxiǎng le xiàngmù jìndù.) Long-term capital scarcity affected the project's progress.

贫乏 (pínfá): Comparison: Poor, impoverished, meager. While 匮乏 refers to a lack of something necessary, 贫乏 often describes something that is poor in quality, content, or quantity, leading to a state of impoverishment. It can describe both material poverty and a lack of richness in abstract things.
Usage: Use 贫乏 to describe poverty (贫困), meager resources (物质贫乏), or a lack of richness in something like language or culture (语言贫乏, 文化贫乏). It can overlap with 匮乏 but often carries a stronger sense of poverty or being meager.
Example:
贫乏: 他的生活非常贫乏。(Tā de shēnghuó fēicháng pínfá.) His life is very poor/meager.
匮乏: 严重的能源匮乏导致了工业停滞。(Yánzhòng de néngyuán kuìfá dǎozhì le gōngyè tíngzhì.) Severe energy scarcity led to industrial stagnation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 匮 (kuì) is quite old and its original pictographic form often showed a type of basket or container, emphasizing the idea of emptiness or deficiency. This visual metaphor contributes to the strong sense of lack associated with the word 匮乏.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰw̥ɪ˥˩ fɑː˥˩/

US /kʰwɪ˥˩ fɑː˥˩/

Both syllables have equal stress, with a high falling tone on each.

Rhymes With

fa pa ba ma ta na la ga ka ha wa

Common Errors

Not aspirating the initial 'k' sound.
Pronouncing the tones incorrectly, which can change the meaning of the word.
Confusing the vowel glide 'ui' with simpler vowel sounds.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The word itself is moderately difficult due to its formal register and intense meaning. Understanding its nuanced usage in complex sentences, especially in academic or news contexts, requires a good grasp of context and vocabulary. Readers might confuse it with '缺乏' if not paying close attention to the severity implied.

Writing 4/5

Using 匮乏 correctly in writing requires careful consideration of formality and the severity of the lack being described. Misuse can lead to awkward or overly dramatic phrasing. Mastering its correct application in formal contexts is key.

Speaking 3/5

While not extremely common in casual conversation, learners might encounter it in news or formal discussions. Using it themselves requires a good understanding of its formal register and the specific situations where it's appropriate, which can be challenging for spontaneous speech.

Listening 3/5

Learners may hear 匮乏 in news broadcasts, documentaries, or formal speeches. Recognizing its formal tone and understanding that it signifies a serious lack is crucial for comprehension.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

缺乏 (quē fá - to lack) 资源 (zīyuán - resources) 资金 (zījīn - funds) 严重 (yánzhòng - severe) 困难 (kùnnán - difficulty)

Learn Next

短缺 (duǎnquē - shortage) 贫乏 (pínfá - poor, meager) 稀缺 (xīquē - rare, scarce) 危机 (wēijī - crisis) 窘境 (jiǒngjìng - predicament)

Advanced

结构性短缺 (jiégòuxìng duǎnquē - structural shortage) 系统性匮乏 (xìtǒngxìng kuìfá - systemic scarcity) 资源枯竭 (zīyuán kūjié - resource depletion) 经济衰退 (jīngjì shuāituì - economic recession)

Grammar to Know

Using '的' (de) to form noun phrases

The phrase '人才匮乏' (réncái kuìfá - talent scarcity) can be turned into a noun phrase '人才的匮乏' (réncái de kuìfá - the scarcity of talent), which can then be used as the subject or object of a sentence. For example: 人才的匮乏阻碍了行业发展 (The scarcity of talent hinders industry development).

Using adverbs to modify 匮乏

Adverbs like '严重' (yánzhòng - severe), '极其' (jíqí - extremely), or '普遍' (pǔbiàn - widespread) can be placed before 匮乏 to emphasize the degree of scarcity. For example: 严重的粮食匮乏 (yánzhòng de liángshí kuìfá - severe food scarcity).

Using prepositions/verbs with 匮乏

Verbs like '面临' (miànlín - to face) or prepositions like '因' (yīn - because of) can be used with 匮乏 to describe the cause or consequence. For example: 公司面临资金匮乏 (Gōngsī miànlín zījīn kuìfá - The company faces capital scarcity) or 项目因技术匮乏而延期 (Xiàngmù yīn jìshù kuìfá ér yánqī - The project was delayed due to a lack of technology).

Distinguishing 匮乏 from 缺乏

Recognize that 匮乏 is for severe, impactful lacks (e.g., 水资源匮乏 - water resource scarcity), while 缺乏 is more general (e.g., 缺乏经验 - lack of experience). The context and intensity of the lack are key differentiators.

Using 匮乏 with abstract nouns

匮乏 can be used with abstract concepts like '知识' (zhīshì - knowledge), '灵感' (línggǎn - inspiration), or '创新' (chuàngxīn - innovation). For example: 知识的匮乏导致了迷信 (Zhīshì de kuìfá dǎozhì le míxìn - Lack of knowledge leads to superstition).

Examples by Level

这个地区的水资源匮乏，严重影响了当地居民的生活。

The region's water resources are scarce, severely affecting the lives of local residents.

Noun phrase structure: Subject + 的 + Noun + 匮乏.

由于缺乏资金，许多小型企业面临倒闭的困境。

Due to lack of funds, many small businesses face the predicament of bankruptcy.

Using 缺乏 for general lack, but the situation described is serious.

长期的战乱导致了该国粮食的严重匮乏。

Long-term warfare has led to a severe shortage of food in the country.

Adverb '严重' (severe) emphasizes the intensity of 匮乏.

在信息时代，知识的获取渠道的匮乏是不应该出现的。

In the information age, a scarcity of channels for acquiring knowledge should not occur.

Abstract noun '知识的获取渠道' (channels for acquiring knowledge) is used with 匮乏.

这位艺术家因灵感匮乏而陷入了创作瓶颈。

This artist has fallen into a creative block due to a lack of inspiration.

Using 匮乏 with an abstract noun '灵感' (inspiration).

政府正努力解决医疗资源的地域性不均和匮乏问题。

The government is working hard to solve the problems of uneven distribution and scarcity of medical resources geographically.

Describes a complex issue involving distribution and scarcity.

自然资源的过度开发和消耗，加剧了环境的恶化和资源的匮乏。

The over-exploitation and consumption of natural resources have exacerbated environmental degradation and resource scarcity.

Connects resource scarcity to environmental issues.

许多偏远地区的基础设施建设缓慢，直接导致了生活必需品的匮乏。

The slow construction of infrastructure in many remote areas directly leads to a scarcity of daily necessities.

Cause and effect structure linking infrastructure to scarcity.

国际社会正面临着日益严峻的能源危机，这主要源于全球能源供应的结构性匮乏。

The international community is facing an increasingly severe energy crisis, mainly due to the structural scarcity of global energy supply.

Describes a 'structural scarcity' indicating a systemic issue.

经济发展的滞后与技术创新的不足，使得该国长期处于人才匮乏的窘境。

Lagging economic development and insufficient technological innovation have left the country in a long-term predicament of talent shortage.

Connects economic and innovation issues to talent scarcity.

历史文献的不完整与考古发现的稀少，导致了对那个时代社会结构的认识存在很大的局限性和匮乏。

The incompleteness of historical documents and the rarity of archaeological discoveries lead to significant limitations and scarcity in the understanding of the social structure of that era.

Discusses scarcity of evidence impacting historical understanding.

尽管拥有丰富的自然风光，但该地区旅游业的发展却因缺乏专业人才和配套设施而举步维艰，呈现出一种资源的错配与潜在的匮乏。

Despite rich natural scenery, the development of the tourism industry in the region is struggling due to a lack of professional talent and supporting facilities, showing a mismatch of resources and potential scarcity.

Highlights resource mismatch and potential scarcity in tourism.

全球气候变化对农业生产造成了严峻挑战，许多地区面临着水资源和土地资源的双重匮乏。

Global climate change poses severe challenges to agricultural production, and many regions face a dual scarcity of water and land resources.

Combines climate change impact with resource scarcity.

企业文化建设的缺失以及员工参与度的低迷，导致了组织凝聚力的明显减弱和创新活力的匮乏。

The absence of corporate culture building and the low employee engagement have led to a significant weakening of organizational cohesion and a lack of innovative vitality.

Discusses scarcity in organizational dynamics and innovation.

社会保障体系的不完善和相关法律法规的滞后，使得弱势群体在面对突发事件时，往往会遭遇援助的匮乏。

The imperfection of the social security system and the lagging relevant laws and regulations often cause vulnerable groups to encounter a scarcity of aid when facing emergencies.

Links systemic issues to scarcity of aid for vulnerable groups.

数字鸿沟的加剧导致了信息和教育资源的不平等分配，进一步加深了欠发达地区在知识和技能方面的匮乏。

The widening digital divide leads to unequal distribution of information and educational resources, further deepening the scarcity of knowledge and skills in underdeveloped regions.

Explains how the digital divide creates knowledge and skill scarcity.

在后工业化时代，许多发达国家面临着劳动力结构性短缺与创新人才的匮乏的双重挑战。

In the post-industrial era, many developed countries face the dual challenge of structural labor shortages and a scarcity of innovative talent.

Uses '结构性短缺' (structural shortage) and '匮乏' together to describe complex labor market issues.

全球供应链的脆弱性以及地缘政治冲突的加剧，导致了关键原材料的普遍性匮乏，对全球经济复苏构成严峻威胁。

The fragility of global supply chains and the intensification of geopolitical conflicts have led to a widespread scarcity of key raw materials, posing a severe threat to global economic recovery.

Describes 'widespread scarcity' of 'key raw materials' in a global context.

传统媒体在信息传播领域的主导地位逐渐式微，而新兴媒体在内容生产和价值判断方面的专业性与公信力的匮乏，引发了社会对信息质量的担忧。

The dominant position of traditional media in information dissemination is gradually declining, while the lack of professionalism and credibility in content production and value judgment by emerging media has raised societal concerns about information quality.

Focuses on scarcity of professionalism and credibility in new media.

面对日益严峻的气候变化挑战，许多国家在可再生能源技术研发和应用方面存在显著的技术壁垒与资金投入的匮乏。

Facing increasingly severe climate change challenges, many countries have significant technological barriers and a scarcity of funding in the research, development, and application of renewable energy technologies.

Links technological barriers and funding scarcity to renewable energy development.

城市化进程中对历史文化遗产的保护意识不足以及相关法律法规的缺失，导致了许多珍贵的文化符号和建筑面临着被拆除或损毁的风险，这是一种无法弥补的文化损失和精神的匮乏。

Insufficient awareness of historical and cultural heritage protection during the urbanization process and the lack of relevant laws and regulations have led to many precious cultural symbols and buildings facing the risk of demolition or damage, which is an irreparable cultural loss and spiritual poverty.

Describes 'spiritual poverty' resulting from cultural loss.

人工智能在医疗诊断领域展现出巨大潜力，但其大规模应用仍受制于数据质量和数量的不足以及算法的可解释性和伦理考量方面的匮乏。

Artificial intelligence shows great potential in the field of medical diagnosis, but its large-scale application is still constrained by insufficient data quality and quantity, as well as a lack of interpretability and ethical considerations in algorithms.

Discusses scarcity in data, interpretability, and ethical considerations for AI.

全球公共卫生体系的薄弱环节以及国际合作中的协调不力，使得在面对新型传染病爆发时，往往会出现疫苗和药物供应的严重匮乏。

The weak links in the global public health system and the poor coordination in international cooperation often lead to a severe scarcity of vaccine and drug supplies when facing outbreaks of new infectious diseases.

Highlights scarcity of medical supplies during health crises.

教育公平的实现需要克服城乡之间以及不同社会经济阶层之间的资源分配不均和机会的匮乏。

Achieving educational equity requires overcoming the unequal distribution of resources and scarcity of opportunities between urban and rural areas, and among different socioeconomic classes.

Addresses scarcity of opportunities and resources in educational equity.

后真相时代的信息洪流中，辨别真伪的能力本身正面临着一种深刻的认知匮乏，这加剧了社会的分裂与信任危机。

In the deluge of information in the post-truth era, the ability to discern truth from falsehood itself faces a profound cognitive scarcity, exacerbating social division and the crisis of trust.

Describes 'cognitive scarcity' as a profound issue in the 'post-truth era'.

国家间在尖端科技领域的自主研发能力存在巨大差异，这种核心技术的系统性匮乏不仅制约了其经济发展，更威胁到国家安全和战略自主性。

There are vast differences in the independent R&D capabilities in cutting-edge technology fields among nations; this systemic scarcity of core technologies not only constrains their economic development but also threatens national security and strategic autonomy.

Discusses 'systemic scarcity' of 'core technologies' and its geopolitical implications.

面对全球性的环境挑战，人类社会在可持续发展理念的实践上仍显现出一种根深蒂固的行动匮乏，表现为政策的摇摆不定与个体行为的短视。

Facing global environmental challenges, human society still exhibits a deep-rooted scarcity of action in the practice of sustainable development concepts, manifested as policy vacillation and individual short-sighted behavior.

Describes 'scarcity of action' in practicing sustainable development.

后现代语境下，宏大叙事的解构与意义生成机制的复杂化，导致了个体在寻求精神归属与价值认同时，常常陷入一种存在性的虚无和意义的匮乏。

In the postmodern context, the deconstruction of grand narratives and the complexification of meaning-generation mechanisms lead individuals, when seeking spiritual belonging and value identification, to often fall into a state of existential nihilism and scarcity of meaning.

Discusses 'existential nihilism' and 'scarcity of meaning' in a postmodern context.

人工智能的飞速发展引发了关于其伦理边界和社会影响的深刻讨论，尤其在自主决策能力与人类价值对齐方面，仍存在着显著的理论与实践的匮乏。

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has sparked profound discussions about its ethical boundaries and societal impact; particularly in terms of autonomous decision-making capabilities and alignment with human values, there remains a significant scarcity of both theoretical and practical solutions.

Focuses on scarcity in theoretical and practical solutions for AI ethics.

文化多元化的理想在实践中往往受制于权力结构的固化与主流文化的同质化倾向，导致了边缘群体在文化表达和身份认同上的空间日益狭窄和原创性的匮乏。

The ideal of cultural pluralism in practice is often constrained by the ossification of power structures and the homogenizing tendency of mainstream culture, leading to increasingly narrow spaces for cultural expression and identity for marginalized groups, and a scarcity of originality.

Discusses scarcity of originality and space for marginalized cultural expression.

全球化背景下，地方特色文化的传承与创新面临着市场压力和文化同质化的双重挑战，导致了许多独特的文化形式濒临消亡，以及新的文化创造力的匮乏。

In the context of globalization, the inheritance and innovation of local unique cultures face the dual challenges of market pressure and cultural homogenization, leading to many unique cultural forms being on the verge of extinction and a scarcity of new cultural creativity.

Addresses scarcity of new cultural creativity due to homogenization.

科技的指数级发展与人类社会的适应能力之间存在着一种不可忽视的鸿沟，尤其在伦理规范和社会治理方面，往往暴露出我们在前瞻性思考和应对策略上的严重匮乏。

There is a significant and undeniable gap between the exponential development of technology and humanity's adaptive capacity; particularly in terms of ethical norms and social governance, it often reveals a severe scarcity in our foresight and response strategies.

Highlights scarcity in foresight and response strategies for technological advancement.

Synonyms

缺乏短缺不足稀缺

Antonyms

充沛丰富充足

Common Collocations

资源匮乏

资金匮乏

人才匮乏

经验匮乏

食物匮乏

技术匮乏

灵感匮乏

知识匮乏

时间匮乏

自然资源匮乏

Common Phrases

严重匮乏

— Severe scarcity or lack.

该地区严重匮乏饮用水，情况危急。 (Gāi dìqū yánzhòng kuìfá yǐnyòng shuǐ, qíngkuàng wēijí.) The region is severely lacking drinking water; the situation is critical.

面临...匮乏

— To face a scarcity or lack of something.

许多初创公司面临资金匮乏的风险。 (Xǔduō chūchuàng gōngsī miànlín zījīn kuìfá de fēngxiǎn.) Many startups face the risk of a scarcity of funds.

...的匮乏

— The scarcity of... (used to form a noun phrase)

创新精神的匮乏阻碍了社会进步。 (Chuàngxīn jīngshén de kuìfá zǔ'ài le shèhuì jìnbù.) The scarcity of innovative spirit hinders social progress.

因...匮乏

— Due to a lack of...

项目因技术人才匮乏而延期。 (Xiàngmù yīn jìshù réncái kuìfá ér yánqī.) The project was delayed due to a scarcity of technical talent.

结构性匮乏

— Structural scarcity, indicating a systemic lack rather than a temporary one.

全球能源供应的结构性匮乏是一个长期问题。 (Quánqiú néngyuán gōngyìng de jiégòuxìng kuìfá shì yīgè chángqí wèntí.) The structural scarcity of global energy supply is a long-term problem.

普遍匮乏

— Widespread scarcity or lack.

在贫困地区，清洁饮用水的普遍匮乏是一个严峻的挑战。 (Zài pínkùn dìqū, qīngjié yǐnyòng shuǐ de pǔbiàn kuìfá shì yīgè yánjùn de tiǎozhàn.) In impoverished areas, the widespread scarcity of clean drinking water is a severe challenge.

日益匮乏

— Increasingly scarce or lacking.

随着人口增长，可耕地的日益匮乏成为一个重要问题。 (Suízhe rénkǒu zēngzhǎng, kě gēngdì de rìyì kuìfá chéngwéi yīgè zhòngyào wèntí.) With population growth, the increasing scarcity of arable land has become an important issue.

知识匮乏

— Lack of knowledge.

知识匮乏导致了人们容易受到误导。 (Zhīshì kuìfá dǎozhì le rénmen róngyì shòudào wùdǎo.) A lack of knowledge makes people easily misled.

人才匮乏

— Shortage of talent.

人才匮乏是阻碍许多新兴产业发展的瓶颈。 (Réncái kuìfá shì zǔ'ài xǔduō xīnxīng chǎnyè fāzhǎn de píngjǐng.) Talent shortage is a bottleneck hindering the development of many emerging industries.

资源匮乏

— Scarcity of resources.

该地区资源匮乏，经济发展缓慢。 (Gāi dìqū zīyuán kuìfá, jīngjì fāzhǎn huǎnmàn.) This region has scarce resources, and economic development is slow.

Often Confused With

匮乏 vs 缺乏 (quē fá)

This is the most common confusion. 匮乏 denotes a severe, impactful lack, often of resources, while 缺乏 is a more general term for any kind of lack, from minor to significant. Using 匮乏 for everyday lacks sounds overly dramatic.

匮乏 vs 短缺 (duǎnquē)

Shortage. This term usually refers to a specific, often temporary, lack of goods or supplies where demand exceeds supply. 匮乏 is more about a fundamental deficiency.

匮乏 vs 贫乏 (pínfá)

Poor, meager, impoverished. While related to lack, 贫乏 often describes a state of poverty or a lack of richness/substance, whereas 匮乏 focuses on the absence of something necessary.

Idioms & Expressions

"捉襟见肘"

— Literally means 'pulling the lapel to reveal the elbow'. It describes a situation where one is financially strapped or has resources so stretched that any attempt to fix one problem exposes another deficiency. It implies a state of severe lack and inability to cope.

由于资金捉襟见肘，公司无法同时进行两个项目。 (Yóuyú zījīn zhuōjīn jiànzhǒu, gōngsī wúfǎ tóngshí jìnxíng liǎng gè xiàngmù.) Due to financial straits (literally, resources are so stretched that pulling the lapel reveals the elbow), the company cannot undertake two projects simultaneously.

Formal

"杯水车薪"

— Literally means 'a cup of water to put out a cartload of burning firewood'. It describes a solution that is utterly inadequate to solve a large problem, highlighting a severe lack of effective means.

面对如此巨大的环境污染，我们目前采取的措施简直是杯水车薪。 (Miànduì rúcǐ jùdà de huánjìng wūrǎn, wǒmen mùqián cǎiqǔ de cuòshī jiǎnzhí shì bēi shuǐ chē xīn.) Facing such massive environmental pollution, the measures we are currently taking are utterly inadequate (like a cup of water for a burning cartload of firewood).

"入不敷出"

— Literally means 'income is not enough to cover expenditure'. It describes a situation of financial deficit, where one lacks the necessary funds to meet their needs.

他每个月都入不敷出，生活过得很拮据。 (Tā měi gè yuè dōu rù bù fū chū, shēnghuó guò dé hěn jiéjū.) He is in financial deficit every month and lives a very tight life.

"山穷水尽"

— Literally means 'mountains are exhausted and rivers have run dry'. It describes reaching the end of one's resources, a desperate situation, or a dead end.

在多次尝试失败后，他们似乎已经山穷水尽了。 (Zài duō cì chángshì shībài hòu, tāmen sìhū yǐjīng shān qióng shuǐ jìn le.) After many failed attempts, they seem to have reached the end of their rope.

"捉襟见肘"

— Describes a situation of severe financial difficulty or resource scarcity, where attempts to address one problem reveal deficiencies in another area.

公司资金捉襟见肘，难以维持日常运营。 (Gōngsī zījīn zhuōjīn jiànzhǒu, nányǐ wéichí rìcháng yùnyíng.) The company's funds are so stretched that it's hard to maintain daily operations.

"囊中羞涩"

— Literally means 'the purse is shy'. It's a polite way of saying one is short of money or has very little money.

抱歉，我今天囊中羞涩，下次再请你吃饭。 (Bàoqiàn, wǒ jīntiān náng zhōng xiūsè, xià cì zài qǐng nǐ chīfàn.) Sorry, I'm short of money today; I'll treat you next time.

"一贫如洗"

— Literally means 'as clean as if washed'. It describes being utterly destitute, penniless, or extremely poor.

那场灾难让他一贫如洗，什么都没剩下。 (Nà chǎng zāinàn ràng tā yī pín rú xǐ, shénme dōu méi shèng xià.) That disaster left him utterly destitute; nothing was left.

"捉襟见肘"

— Indicates a severe lack of resources, forcing one to compromise or expose another weakness when trying to fix a problem.

由于人力捉襟见肘，我们只能优先处理紧急任务。 (Yóuyú rénlì zhuōjīn jiànzhǒu, wǒmen zhǐ néng yōuxiān chǔlǐ jǐnjí rènwù.) Due to a shortage of manpower, we can only prioritize urgent tasks.

"杯水车薪"

— Describes an action or solution that is completely insufficient to address a major problem, highlighting a severe lack of effective means.

仅靠捐赠的少量物资，对于灾区的需求来说，无异于杯水车薪。 (Jǐn kào juānzèng de shǎoliàng wùzī, duìyú zāiqū de xūqiú lái shuō, wúyì yú bēi shuǐ chē xīn.) The small amount of donated supplies is like a cup of water for a cartload of firewood in meeting the needs of the disaster area.

"入不敷出"

— Refers to a financial state where expenses exceed income, indicating a lack of funds.

长期的入不敷出导致了他不得不变卖房产。 (Chángqí de rù bù fū chū dǎozhì le tā bùdé bù biànmài fángchǎn.) Long-term financial deficit forced him to sell his property.

Easily Confused

匮乏 vs 缺乏

Both mean 'to lack'.

匮乏 implies a severe, critical, and often widespread lack of essential resources or things, carrying a formal and intense tone. It suggests significant negative consequences. 缺乏 is a more general term for not having enough of something, usable in everyday contexts for minor or significant lacks, and is less formal.

匮乏: 水资源匮乏是该地区面临的最大挑战。(Severe lack of water resources is the biggest challenge this region faces.) 缺乏: 我缺乏耐心。(I lack patience.)

匮乏 vs 短缺

Both refer to a lack or shortage.

匮乏 describes a profound and often systemic scarcity of essential elements, implying a deep-seated problem. 短缺 typically refers to a specific shortage of goods or supplies, often temporary, where demand outstrips supply (e.g., '药品短缺' - medicine shortage). 匮乏 is more about a fundamental deficiency.

匮乏: 技术人才的匮乏阻碍了产业升级。(Scarcity of technical talent hinders industrial upgrading.) 短缺: 市场上口罩短缺，价格上涨。(There is a shortage of masks in the market, and prices have increased.)

匮乏 vs 贫乏

Both relate to a lack or deficiency.

匮乏 specifically denotes a severe lack of something necessary or essential, particularly resources. 贫乏 means poor, meager, or lacking richness/substance, often describing material poverty or a lack of abstract qualities like content or spirit. While a lack (匮乏) can lead to poverty (贫乏), they are not interchangeable. 匮乏 is about absence, while 贫乏 is about being meager or impoverished.

匮乏: 资金匮乏导致了项目无法启动。(Lack of funds caused the project to be unable to start.) 贫乏: 他的生活非常贫乏，几乎没有任何精神寄托。(His life is very meager, with almost no spiritual sustenance.)

匮乏 vs 不足

Both indicate a lack of something.

匮乏 refers to a severe and significant lack, often implying a critical deficiency. 不足 simply means 'insufficient' or 'not enough,' indicating a quantity or quality that does not meet a requirement, but not necessarily a severe or critical state. It's a more neutral term.

匮乏: 能源的严重匮乏威胁着国家安全。(Severe energy scarcity threatens national security.) 不足: 目前的措施还远远不足以解决这个问题。(The current measures are still far from sufficient to solve this problem.)

匮乏 vs 稀缺

Both relate to scarcity.

匮乏 implies a severe lack of something essential, often indicating a problematic deficiency. 稀缺 means rare or scarce, often implying something is not common or is in limited supply, and can sometimes suggest value due to its rarity. While both describe limited availability, 匮乏 emphasizes the negative impact of the lack, whereas 稀缺 focuses more on the limited nature itself.

匮乏: 自然资源匮乏的地区经济发展缓慢。(The economy develops slowly in regions with scarce natural resources.) 稀缺: 钻石稀缺，因此价格昂贵。(Diamonds are scarce, hence their high price.)

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 匮乏

该地区水资源匮乏。 (Gāi dìqū shuǐzīyuán kuìfá.) The region suffers from water scarcity.

Noun + 的 + 匮乏

人才的匮乏影响了行业发展。 (Réncái de kuìfá yǐngxiǎng le hángyè fāzhǎn.) The scarcity of talent affects industry development.

Subject + 面临 + Noun + 匮乏

许多初创公司面临资金匮乏的困境。 (Xǔduō chūchuàng gōngsī miànlín zījīn kuìfá de kùnjìng.) Many startups face the predicament of capital scarcity.

因 + Noun + 匮乏

项目因技术匮乏而延期。 (Xiàngmù yīn jìshù kuìfá ér yánqī.) The project was delayed due to a lack of technology.

Adverb + 的 + Noun + 匮乏

严重的粮食匮乏导致了饥荒。 (Yánzhòng de liángshí kuìfá dǎozhì le jīhuāng.) Severe food scarcity led to famine.

Noun + 匮乏 + 导致/造成 + (Result)

知识匮乏导致了社会的落后。 (Zhīshì kuìfá dǎozhì le shèhuì de luòhòu.) A lack of knowledge led to the backwardness of society.

Subject + 存在/显现出 + ... + 匮乏

全球在可再生能源技术方面存在显著的技术壁垒与资金匮乏。 (Quánqiú zài kě zàishēng néngyuán jìshù fāngmiàn cúnzài xiǎnzhù de jìshù bìlěi yǔ zījīn kuìfá.) The world has significant technological barriers and a scarcity of funding in renewable energy technologies.

Noun + 的 + 匮乏 + 是/引发 + (Consequence/Issue)

传统媒体在内容生产方面的专业性匮乏，引发了对信息质量的担忧。 (Chuántǒng méitǐ zài nèiróng shēngchǎn fāngmiàn de zhuānyèxìng kuìfá, yǐnfā le duì xìnxī zhìliàng de dānyōu.) The lack of professionalism in content production by traditional media has raised concerns about information quality.

Word Family

Adjectives

匮乏

缺乏

短缺

贫乏

稀缺

不足

How to Use It

frequency

Low to Medium (in everyday conversation); High (in news, academic texts, formal discussions)

Common Mistakes

Using 匮乏 for minor lacks. → Using 缺乏 or simply stating the lack.
Saying '我的耐心匮乏了' (My patience is severely lacking) is overly dramatic. For everyday situations, use '我缺乏耐心' (I lack patience) or '我没耐心了' (I've lost patience). 匮乏 implies a serious, impactful deficiency.
Confusing 匮乏 with 短缺 for specific goods. → Use 短缺 for shortages of specific items.
Saying '市场的口罩匮乏' (The market's masks are severely lacking) is less precise than '市场的口罩短缺' (The market has a shortage of masks). 短缺 fits better for specific items in short supply.
Using 匮乏 in informal spoken language. → Use 缺乏 or simpler phrases in casual conversation.
Telling a friend '我的零食匮乏' (My snacks are severely lacking) when you've run out of chips is too formal. Better options include '我的零食吃完了' (I finished my snacks) or '我没零食了' (I don't have snacks anymore).
Incorrectly forming noun phrases. → Use 'Noun + 的 + 匮乏' or 'Adverb + 的 + Noun + 匮乏'.
Instead of '我们匮乏资金' (We lack funds), it's more natural to say '我们面临资金匮乏' (We face capital scarcity) or describe it as '资金的匮乏' (the scarcity of funds).
Using 匮乏 for a single missing item. → Use 缺少 (quēshǎo) or 丢了 (diū le).
You cannot say '我的笔匮乏' (My pen is severely lacking). If you've lost your pen, say '我的笔丢了' (I lost my pen) or '我缺少一支笔' (I am missing a pen). 匮乏 is for severe general deficiencies.

Tips

Mastering the Tones

The word 匮乏 (kuì fá) has two high falling tones (5-5 or 5-1 depending on dialect). Ensure you pronounce both syllables with this falling intonation. Incorrect tones can lead to misunderstanding. Practice saying it with a consistent high pitch that then drops.

匮乏 vs. 缺乏

Remember 匮乏 is the 'heavy-duty' version of 'lack.' If you can replace 'lack' with 'severe scarcity' or 'critical deficit' in English, 匮乏 is likely appropriate. If 'lack' works fine in a general sense, 缺乏 might be better.

Common Pairings

Learning common collocations like 资源匮乏 (resource scarcity), 资金匮乏 (capital scarcity), and 人才匮乏 (talent shortage) will help you use 匮乏 more naturally and effectively. These phrases are frequently encountered in discussions about development and societal issues.

Formal Language

Recognize that 匮乏 is a formal adjective. It's best suited for written Chinese, news reports, academic papers, and formal speeches. While understandable in spoken Chinese, it's not typically used in casual chat among friends.

Visual Association

Picture a vast, empty desert with cracked earth and a single, withered plant. This image strongly conveys a severe lack of water and life, symbolizing the intense scarcity represented by 匮乏.

Noun Phrase Formation

You can form noun phrases like '人才的匮乏' (the scarcity of talent) by adding '的' (de) after the noun. This allows the concept of scarcity to function as a subject or object in a sentence.

Understanding Nuances

While 匮乏, 短缺, and 稀缺 all relate to scarcity, they have different nuances. 匮乏 is about a severe lack of essentials, 短缺 is a shortage of goods, and 稀缺 means rare. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

Words of Abundance

To fully grasp 匮乏, learn its antonyms like 充裕 (abundant), 丰富 (rich), and 充足 (sufficient). Understanding the opposite helps solidify the meaning of the word itself.

Active Recall

Don't just read definitions. Try to actively recall the word 匮乏 when you think of situations involving severe shortages. Write sentences, create flashcards, or discuss it with a language partner.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a king (k-w-ei) who is so poor that his royal treasury is empty (kuì), and he feels utterly exhausted (fá) from the lack of everything. This king is suffering from extreme 匮乏.

Visual Association

Picture a vast, dry desert landscape with cracked earth and a single, withered plant. This image represents a severe lack of water and life, symbolizing 匮乏.

Word Web

{"topic":"Scarcity","related_words":["\u7f3a\u4e4f","\u77ed\u7f3a","\u7a00\u7f3a","\u4e0d\u8db3"]} {"topic":"Resources","related_words":["\u8d44\u91d1","\u80fd\u6e90","\u6c34","\u7cae\u98df","\u4eba\u624d"]} {"topic":"Consequences","related_words":["\u8d2b\u56f0","\u56f0\u96be","\u5371\u673a","\u505c\u6ede"]} {"topic":"Abstract Lacks","related_words":["\u77e5\u8bc6","\u7ecf\u9a8c","\u7075\u611f","\u521b\u65b0"]}

Challenge

Try to use 匮乏 in three sentences describing different serious lacks you've read about in the news or observed in documentaries. Focus on making the severity of the lack clear.

Word Origin

The word 匮乏 is composed of two characters: 匮 (kuì) and 乏 (fá). Both characters relate to the concept of lack or deficiency. The character 匮 originally depicted a basket or container that was empty or lacked contents. 乏 means 'lack' or 'weary'. Together, they form a strong expression for a severe lack or scarcity.

Original meaning: The character 匮 (kuì) itself historically represented an empty or deficient container, suggesting a lack of fullness or contents. 乏 (fá) directly means 'lack' or 'exhaustion'. Thus, the combination 匮乏 inherently means a state of being severely lacking or empty.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

The term 匮乏 denotes severe hardship. When discussing it, be mindful of the potential for it to describe real suffering (e.g., poverty, hunger, lack of basic necessities). Use it appropriately to reflect the gravity of the situation without being overly dramatic for minor issues.

While English has words like 'scarcity,' 'shortage,' 'lack,' or 'poverty,' 匮乏 carries a specific weight and formality that might require careful translation depending on the context. It's not just any lack, but a severe one with significant implications.

Historical accounts of famines in China often detail periods of extreme 粮食匮乏 (food scarcity). Economic analyses of developing nations frequently mention 资金匮乏 (capital scarcity) as a major impediment to growth. Discussions on environmental sustainability often highlight 水资源匮乏 (water resource scarcity) as a critical global issue.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Economic Development

资金匮乏 (zījīn kuìfá)
人才匮乏 (réncái kuìfá)
技术匮乏 (jìshù kuìfá)
资源匮乏 (zīyuán kuìfá)

Social Issues

粮食匮乏 (liángshí kuìfá)
医疗资源匮乏 (yīliáo zīyuán kuìfá)
教育资源匮乏 (jiàoyù zīyuán kuìfá)
饮用水匮乏 (yǐnyòng shuǐ kuìfá)

Environmental Challenges

水资源匮乏 (shuǐzīyuán kuìfá)
土地匮乏 (tǔdì kuìfá)
能源匮乏 (néngyuán kuìfá)

Personal/Abstract

经验匮乏 (jīngyàn kuìfá)
知识匮乏 (zhīshì kuìfá)
灵感匮乏 (línggǎn kuìfá)
时间匮乏 (shíjiān kuìfá - less common)

Formal Reports/Speeches

普遍匮乏 (pǔbiàn kuìfá)
结构性匮乏 (jiégòuxìng kuìfá)
严重匮乏 (yánzhòng kuìfá)
面临...匮乏 (miànlín...kuìfá)

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever read about a country facing severe resource scarcity? What do you think are the biggest challenges in such situations?"

"When we talk about 'talent shortage' (人才匮乏), what kind of talents do you think are most needed in today's world?"

"Imagine a place suffering from chronic food scarcity (粮食匮乏). What are the immediate and long-term impacts on the community?"

"How can societies address a lack of educational resources (教育资源匮乏) in remote areas?"

"What are your thoughts on the idea of 'scarcity of inspiration' (灵感匮乏) for artists or writers?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you personally experienced a significant lack of something essential. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from it?

Reflect on the concept of 'knowledge scarcity' (知识匮乏). How does a lack of knowledge impact individuals and societies, and what steps can be taken to overcome it?

Consider a hypothetical scenario where a city faces a severe water resource scarcity (水资源匮乏). What innovative solutions could be implemented to mitigate this crisis?

Write a short story about a character who overcomes a period of extreme personal or professional lack (e.g., lack of opportunity, lack of confidence).

Discuss the difference between simply lacking something (缺乏) and experiencing a severe scarcity (匮乏). Provide examples to illustrate the distinction.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The primary difference lies in intensity and formality. 匮乏 denotes a severe, critical, and often widespread lack of essential resources or things, carrying a formal and intense tone. It implies significant negative consequences. 缺乏 is a more general and less formal term for not having enough of something, usable in everyday contexts for minor or significant lacks.

Yes, 匮乏 can be used for abstract concepts, but it still implies a severe and impactful lack. For example, '知识的匮乏' (zhīshì de kuìfá) means a severe lack of knowledge that hinders progress or leads to problems like superstition. For less severe lacks of abstract things, 缺乏 is often more suitable.

Use 匮乏 when you want to describe a profound, fundamental, and often systemic scarcity of essential elements (like resources, talent, or capital) that causes significant problems. Use 短缺 when referring to a specific shortage of goods or supplies, often temporary, where demand exceeds supply (e.g., medicine shortage, mask shortage).

No, 匮乏 is generally considered a formal word. While you might encounter it in news reports, academic articles, or formal speeches, it's less common in casual, everyday conversations unless the situation being described is genuinely dire and warrants such an intense term.

Commonly paired nouns include: 资源 (zīyuán - resources), 资金 (zījīn - funds), 人才 (réncái - talent), 食物 (shíwù - food), 水资源 (shuǐzīyuán - water resources), 经验 (jīngyàn - experience), 知识 (zhīshì - knowledge), and 灵感 (línggǎn - inspiration). For example, 资金匮乏 (capital scarcity) and 人才匮乏 (talent shortage) are very common.

Think of 匮乏 as a 'kwai-fuh' sound that sounds like 'quite full of lack' – it's a severe lack. 缺乏 is more general. Another way is to associate 匮乏 with serious issues like famine or economic crisis, while 缺乏 can be used for everyday things like 'I lack confidence'.

While technically possible, it's not very common. '时间匮乏' (shíjiān kuìfá) sounds quite formal and intense for a lack of time. More commonly, people would say '缺乏时间' (quēfá shíjiān - lack of time) or simply '没时间' (méi shíjiān - no time) in everyday contexts.

The opposite of 匮乏 (scarcity) would be words indicating abundance or sufficiency, such as 充裕 (chōngyù - abundant, ample), 丰富 (fēngfù - rich, abundant), or 充足 (chōngzú - sufficient, adequate).

Yes, 匮乏 is frequently used in literature, especially in historical novels, social commentary, or works describing hardship and struggle. Its formal and intense nature makes it suitable for conveying the gravity of severe lacks.

Try writing sentences describing real-world problems like poverty, environmental issues, or economic challenges. Also, practice translating sentences from English that describe severe shortages into Chinese using 匮乏. Compare your usage with native examples.