Translation guide
The English word 'lack' expresses the absence or insufficiency of something. In Japanese, this concept is most commonly conveyed using verbs like ない (not exist/have) or 足りない (insufficient), rather than a single direct noun equivalent. The choice depends on whether you are stating the absence of something, expressing a shortage, or describing a deficiency in quality.
To state that something does not exist or is not present; to say that someone does not have something.
The most basic and common way to express lack of something. が marks the thing that is lacking. Use with nouns.
彼は経験がない。
He lacks experience.
この部屋には窓がない。
This room lacks a window.
Literally 'do not possess'. Emphasizes the subject's lack of possession. More formal or explicit than ～がない.
彼女は運転免許を持っていない。
She lacks a driver's license.
A formal noun meaning 'lack' or 'deficiency'. Often used in written or technical contexts.
コミュニケーションの欠如が問題だ。
A lack of communication is the problem.
To express that there is not enough of something; a quantity or degree that is less than needed.
An i-adjective meaning 'insufficient' or 'not enough'. Very common in daily conversation.
お金が足りない。
I lack money. / I don't have enough money.
時間が足りなくて、終わらなかった。
I lacked time and couldn't finish.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'shortage' or 'insufficiency'. Slightly more formal than 足りない. Often used in compounds like 人手不足 (labor shortage).
A formal noun meaning 'scarcity' or 'dearth'. Used for serious shortages, often in medical or economic contexts.
To describe a person or thing as missing a certain quality, skill, or characteristic.
A verb meaning 'to be lacking in (a quality)'. Used for abstract traits like common sense, personality, etc.
彼は常識に欠ける。
He lacks common sense.
その計画は具体性に欠ける。
The plan lacks concreteness.
Simply stating the absence of a quality. Often used with nouns like 魅力 (charm) or やる気 (motivation).
あの店は魅力がない。
That shop lacks appeal.
Use ～がない for simple absence (no windows). Use 足りない for insufficient quantity (not enough money). Use ～に欠ける for lacking an abstract quality (lacking common sense).
English often uses 'lack of + noun'. Japanese rarely uses a single noun equivalent in casual speech. Instead, rephrase using verbs/adjectives like ない or 足りない. For example, 'lack of sleep' becomes 睡眠不足 or 寝不足, not a literal translation.
I'm tired from lack of sleep.
この地域は水不足に悩んでいる。
This region suffers from a lack of water.
ビタミン欠乏症
vitamin deficiency