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.
This kit had a missing part.
Literally 'insufficient part'. Natural in everyday speech when a part is missing or not enough parts are supplied.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There's a missing part in the explanation, so I'll check again.
His proposal has a missing part in terms of concreteness.