insufficient syllables in waka or haiku
Technical term in traditional Japanese poetry, referring to a line or poem that has fewer syllables than the standard meter requires. Often contrasted with 字余り (excess syllables).
See also: 字余り
This haiku is syllable-deficient and does not follow the 5-7-5 pattern.
A waka with insufficient syllables is sometimes praised for its evocative quality.
Compound of 字 (character/syllable) and 足らず (insufficient, from 足りる). The term is specific to traditional Japanese poetic meter.