Translation guide
The English word 'shortage' refers to a lack or insufficient amount of something needed. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on what is lacking and the context. Common expressions include 不足 (fusoku) for general insufficiency, 足りない (tarinai) for not enough, and 不足する (fusoku suru) for formal statements. For specific shortages like personnel or funds, compound words like 人手不足 (hitodebusoku) or 資金不足 (shikinfusoku) are used.
Expressing that there is not enough of something in general, or that something is lacking.
There is a shortage of water.
I failed due to a lack of experience.
The negative form of 足りる (tariru, to be enough). Used in casual speech to say something is not enough or insufficient.
I don't have enough money.
I didn't have enough time, so I couldn't finish.
A more formal or technical term for scarcity or dearth, often used in economic or medical contexts.
The food shortage is serious.
A formal, somewhat literary term for scarcity or exhaustion of supply. Rare in everyday conversation.
Supplies are running short.
Referring to a shortage of a particular resource, such as workers, money, or materials.
Expressing a shortage or deficiency in non-physical things like ability, understanding, or effort.
Used as a suffix with nouns indicating abstract qualities to mean 'lack of ~'.
He lacks attention to detail.
I'm out of shape due to lack of exercise.
Pattern: [noun] + が足りない. Used to say there is not enough of a quality or thing.
You're not putting in enough effort.
Formal term for lack or absence, often used in psychological or social contexts.
Using verbs to express the state of lacking something.
Suru-verb meaning 'to be insufficient' or 'to run short'. Formal and often used in reports.
There are areas where food is running short.
Phrase meaning 'to become insufficient' or 'to run out'. More colloquial than 不足する.
It looks like we're going to run out of gas.
Verb meaning 'to lack' or 'to be missing'. Often used in set phrases like 常識を欠く (lack common sense).
不足 (fusoku) is a noun and can be used in formal contexts or as a suffix. 足りない (tarinai) is the negative form of the verb 足りる and is more colloquial. Use 不足 for written reports or compound words, and 足りない in everyday conversation.
The budget is insufficient. (formal)
The budget isn't enough. (casual)
English 'shortage' is often translated as 不足, but in many cases it's more natural to use 足りない or a specific compound. Don't force 不足 into every context; consider the nuance.
We're short on hands. (natural)
The project stopped due to a shortage of funds.
品不足で注文できない。
I can't order because of the stock shortage.
Supply shortage; insufficient supply. Used in economics and business.
The semiconductor supply shortage continues.
Maybe my explanation was insufficient.
責任感の欠如が問題だ。
The lack of a sense of responsibility is the problem.
He lacks leadership.
There's a labor shortage. (also natural, slightly more formal)