Translation guide
A component that is absent or lacking from a whole. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns like 欠品 (missing item/part), 不足 (shortage), or verbs like 足りない (insufficient) and 抜けている (omitted). The best choice depends on whether you're talking about a physical part, an abstract element, or a required quantity.
Referring to a specific part that should be present but is not, such as in a product, assembly, or collection.
Common in business and manufacturing contexts for a missing part or item. Often used when a product is incomplete due to a missing component.
このキットには欠品がありました。
This kit had a missing part.
Literally 'insufficient part'. Natural in everyday speech when a part is missing or not enough parts are supplied.
足りない部品があって組み立てられない。
I can't assemble it because there's a missing part.
Used in inventory or order contexts to indicate an item that is short or missing from a shipment.
不足品がありましたので、至急ご連絡ください。
There was a missing part, so please contact us immediately.
Means 'omission' or 'gap'. Can refer to a missing part in a sequence or set, but is less specific than 欠品.
部品の抜けがないか確認してください。
Please check for any missing parts.
Referring to something non-physical that is absent, such as a piece of information, a logical step, or a necessary component of a plan.
A formal term for a missing or omitted element, often used in technical, academic, or analytical contexts.
この理論には重要な要素の欠落がある。
This theory has a missing part of an important element.
Literally 'the part that is omitted'. Natural for describing gaps in narratives, instructions, or data.
説明に抜けている部分があるので、もう一度確認します。
There's a missing part in the explanation, so I'll check again.
Means 'shortage' or 'insufficiency'. Can be used for abstract missing parts when something is lacking in quantity or quality.
When the number of parts is insufficient, rather than a specific identifiable part being absent.
The most common word for shortage or insufficiency. Works for both physical and abstract contexts.
部品が不足しているので生産が止まっている。
Production is stopped because there are missing parts (not enough parts).
Literally 'the number is insufficient'. A straightforward way to say there aren't enough parts.
ネジの数が足りない。
There are missing parts (not enough screws).
The phrase 'missing part' cannot be directly translated as 欠けている部分 in all contexts. 欠けている部分 often implies a chipped or broken-off piece, not a component that was never included. Use 欠品 or 足りない部品 for physical missing components.
His proposal has a missing part in terms of concreteness.