Translation guide
Describes something that is in short supply, hard to find, or not enough to meet demand. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether you're talking about resources, time, people, or abstract things.
Labor is scarce.
Often used for resources, money, or abstract qualities. Slightly more formal or literary than 不足している.
Simply means 'few' or 'little'. Can imply scarcity when context makes it clear.
今年は雨が少ない。
Rain is scarce this year.
Express that something is not easily available or encountered.
Literally 'hard to obtain'. Natural for physical goods or opportunities.
この本は手に入りにくい。
This book is scarce (hard to find).
Means 'rare' in the sense of being valuable due to scarcity. Often used for collectibles, resources, or species.
希少な金属
scarce metals
Means 'rare' or 'unusual'. Can imply scarcity but focuses more on uncommonness.
Express that time, chances, or moments are scarce.
The most direct way to say time is scarce. Very common.
時間がないので、手短に話します。
Time is scarce, so I'll be brief.
Used when opportunities to do something are scarce.
練習する機会が少ない。
Opportunities to practice are scarce.
Describe a state of shortage or lack in a broader sense.
While 少ない means 'few/little', it doesn't always carry the nuance of 'not enough'. Use 不足している when you want to emphasize insufficiency.
不足 is more about a measurable shortage, while 乏しい often implies a lack of quality or abstract things (e.g., 才能が乏しい 'lacking in talent').
この地域では仕事が不足している。
Jobs are scarce in this area.
真水が不足してきている。
Fresh water is becoming scarce.
この地域では雪は珍しい。
Snow is scarce in this region.
食料の欠乏
food scarcity