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.
Water is scarce.
Labor is scarce.
Often used for resources, money, or abstract qualities. Slightly more formal or literary than 不足している.
a country with scarce resources
Information is scarce.
Simply means 'few' or 'little'. Can imply scarcity when context makes it clear.
Rain is scarce this year.
Express that something is not easily available or encountered.
Literally 'hard to obtain'. Natural for physical goods or opportunities.
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.
scarce metals
Means 'rare' or 'unusual'. Can imply scarcity but focuses more on uncommonness.
Express that time, chances, or moments 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').
Jobs are scarce in this area.
Fresh water is becoming scarce.
Snow is scarce in this region.
食料の欠乏
food scarcity