bat1 zuk1不足
Jyutpingbat1 zuk1
Yalebāt jūk
Definition
Shortcoming, flaw, or inadequacy; something that needs improvement.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
While often used in formal writing, it frequently appears in professional feedback or critical discussions in spoken Cantonese. It carries a slightly more objective and analytical tone compared to simply saying 缺點 or 唔好. It is commonly used to describe systemic issues or performance gaps rather than personal personality traits.
Examples
This plan still has many shortcomings and needs more revisions.
What do you think are the shortcomings in my report?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 唔夠, which refers to a literal lack of quantity or sufficiency. Use 不足 when discussing abstract flaws or qualitative deficiencies, and use 唔夠 when you simply do not have enough of something like money or time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
