kyut3 fat6缺乏

Jyutpingkyut3 fat6

Yalekyut faht

動詞Common

Definition

To lack or be short of.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

Although 缺乏 is understood in speech, it carries a formal or written tone that sounds slightly stiff in casual conversation. In everyday life, Cantonese speakers almost always prefer using 唔夠 to express the same idea of being insufficient or lacking something. Use 缺乏 only when discussing serious topics like resources, experience, or abstract concepts in a more professional context.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋hou2好kyut3缺fat6乏seoi6睡min4眠，seng4成jat6日dou1都ngaan5眼fan3瞓。

They are very short on sleep and are always sleepy.

ni1呢go3個gai3計waak6劃hai6係mai6咪kyut3缺fat6乏zi1資gam1金aa4呀？

Is this project lacking funding?

Common phrases

kyut3缺fat6乏ging1經jim6驗

lack of experience

kyut3缺fat6乏seon3信sam1心

lack of confidence

Common mistake

Avoid using 缺乏 for physical objects that you can easily count or hold in your hand. For example, saying 缺乏蘋果 for not having enough apples sounds unnatural; use 冇或者唔夠 instead.