noun
Refers to a shortage, insufficiency, or an unfilled position. Often used in compounds or formal contexts.
この部署は人手が欠けている。
This department is short-staffed.
予算に欠がある。
There is a deficiency in the budget.
noun
absence; non-attendance
Used especially in formal or academic contexts for missing a class, meeting, or event. Often appears in compounds like 欠席.
See also: 欠席
彼の欠が続いている。
His absences have been continuing.
会議の欠を連絡してください。
Please report your absence from the meeting.
The kanji 欠 originally depicts a person yawning, implying a lack or gap. The reading けつ is the on'yomi, commonly used in Sino-Japanese compounds.