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缺失 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缺失quēshīdeficiencyHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #16577, Very Hard
缺失quēshīshortcomingHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #16577, Very Hard
缺失quēshīhiatusHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #16577, Very Hard
quēshī(que1shi1)que shi T1
  1. 1deficiency
  2. 2shortcoming
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March 24, 2026

缺失quēshī(que1shi1)

缺失 (que1 shi1) refers to a state of deficiency or absence of something that is expected or required. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussions about personal shortcomings, technical failures, or gaps in knowledge.

Strokes15Frequency#16577DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, acknowledging 缺失 (shortcomings) is often viewed as a step towards self-improvement, reflecting the value placed on personal growth and integrity. This term is often used in educational or workplace settings when discussing performance evaluations.

Memory tip

Imagine a person (缺) looking for a missing piece (失) of a puzzle. The '缺' character looks like a person standing next to an incomplete puzzle, symbolizing something that is 'missing' or 'deficient'.

Meanings of 缺失

quēshī(que1shi1)
1deficiency
2shortcoming
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About 缺失

缺失Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 缺失

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AI study notes for 缺失

Quick Contrast

缺乏 (quēfá) refers to a lack or insufficiency of something, while 缺失 (quēshī) emphasizes the absence of something that should be present.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in formal contexts, such as reports or evaluations. A common mistake is to confuse it with other synonyms like '不足' (bu2 zu) which implies a lack rather than a complete absence. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing it, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though not an HSK vocabulary word, 缺失 relates to HSK Level 4 concepts of deficiency and absence. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in professional contexts and practice constructing sentences that highlight its meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 缺失 by applying it in contexts where a more general term like '缺少' (que1 shao3) would be appropriate. For example, saying '他的知识缺失' (tā de zhīshì quēshī) instead of '他的知识不足' (tā de zhīshì bùzú) when referring to insufficient knowledge.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 缺失

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Component characters

缺quēdeficiency
HSK 410 strokes缶
View full entry
失shīto lose
5 strokes大
View full entry

How to say deficiency in Chinese

“deficiency” in Chinese is缺失quēshī

缺失 (que1 shi1) refers to a state of deficiency or absence of something that is expected or required. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussions about personal shortcomings, technical failures, or gaps in knowledge.

When to use 缺失

This term is often used in formal contexts, such as reports or evaluations. A common mistake is to confuse it with other synonyms like '不足' (bu2 zu) which implies a lack rather than a complete absence. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing it, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

缺失 or something close to it

缺乏 (quēfá) refers to a lack or insufficiency of something, while 缺失 (quēshī) emphasizes the absence of something that should be present.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 缺失 by applying it in contexts where a more general term like '缺少' (que1 shao3) would be appropriate. For example, saying '他的知识缺失' (tā de zhīshì quēshī) instead of '他的知识不足' (tā de zhīshì bùzú) when referring to insufficient knowledge.

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缺
失

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Frequently asked questions about 缺失

缺失 refers specifically to an absence or missing element, while 不足 indicates a lack or insufficiency, often with something still being present.

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