gung1 bat1 jing3 kau4供不應求供不应求
Jyutpinggung1 bat1 jing3 kau4
Yalegūng bāt ying kàuh
Definition
In short supply; supply unable to meet demand.
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How it's used
Used primarily in formal or news contexts to describe market conditions or resource scarcity. While it is a four character idiom, it is frequently integrated into everyday speech when discussing economic trends or the unavailability of popular products. It carries a slightly more serious tone than simply saying 唔夠賣.
Examples
These sneakers are famously in short supply; you cannot even buy them by queuing.
Face masks are in short supply in the market, and the price has gone up a lot.
Related words
Common phrases
the market is in short supply
severely in short supply
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a personal lack of something, such as not having enough time or money. It specifically refers to a macro level imbalance between market supply and consumer demand.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
