Translation guide
Expresses insufficiency in quantity, degree, or quality. Japanese uses various negative forms of 'enough' or 'sufficient', often with 足りない (tarinai) or 十分 (juubun) in the negative.
To say there is not enough of something countable or measurable.
The most common and versatile way to say 'not enough'. It is the negative form of (tariru), meaning 'to be sufficient'. Can be used for both concrete and abstract things.
I don't have enough money.
There isn't enough time.
Literally 'not enough' or 'not sufficient'. Slightly more formal than 足りない. Often used when a standard or requirement is not met.
This amount is not enough.
Means 'to be lacking' or 'insufficient'. More formal and often used in written or business contexts.
We are short-staffed. (lit. Manpower is insufficient.)
To say something falls short of a needed level, such as quality, skill, or effort.
To say there is not enough of something to do a particular action.
Pattern: noun + のに足りない. Means 'not enough to (verb)'. The verb is implied by context or follows in a separate clause.
It's not enough to eat.
Money that is not enough to buy (it).
Similar to above, but には emphasizes the purpose or standard. Often used with nouns indicating a goal.
To strongly emphasize insufficiency, often in casual speech.
足りない is more common in daily conversation and feels more direct. 十分じゃない is slightly more formal and often used when comparing to a standard. Both are interchangeable in many contexts.
My salary isn't enough (to live on).
My salary is not sufficient.
Do not say ない十分 (nai juubun). The correct negative form is 十分じゃない or 十分ではない.
The score is not enough to pass.