Meaning
The kanji 欠 (ketsu, kaku) primarily means 'lack,' 'deficiency,' or 'being missing.' It can also signify 'yawning' or 'failing.' This character's meaning extends to incompleteness, absence, or items that are chipped or broken. Fundamentally, 欠 represents a void, a need, or an imperfection.
Historically, the kanji 欠 is thought to be a pictograph. It depicts a person leaning back with an open mouth, as if yawning. This image directly links to 'yawning.' However, it also suggests a broader concept: an 'open space' or 'gap.' This 'gap' then evolved to mean 'lack' or 'deficiency'—something absent or incomplete. The open mouth can also represent 'inhaling,' which requires a 'lack' of air in the lungs. This reinforces the idea of absence or need.
The visual shape of 欠 reinforces its meaning. The top stroke resembles a head, while the remaining strokes form a body and an open mouth. This posture evokes a yawn, vividly illustrating the physical act. The concept of something 'chipped' or 'broken' also ties in, like a piece of pottery with a 'gap' or 'missing part.' This kanji has 4 strokes, making it simple to write. Taught in elementary school as a Grade 4 kanji, 欠 holds foundational importance in the Japanese language.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi readings for 欠 come from its original Chinese pronunciation. They are mainly used when 欠 appears in compound words, typically with other kanji. These readings usually express formal or abstract ideas related to lack, absence, or defect.
- ケツ (ketsu): This is the most common On'yomi for 欠. It frequently appears in words describing absence, deficiency, or flaws, including many common vocabulary terms.
欠席 (kesseki) — absence, non-attendance. For example, 今日は彼が欠席した。(Kyou wa kare ga kesseki shita.) - He was absent today.
欠点 (ketten) — a fault, defect, or weak point. For instance, 誰にでも欠点はある。(Dare ni demo ketten wa aru.) - Everyone has their faults.
欠陥 (kekkan) — a serious defect, flaw, or deformity, often used for products or systems. Such as, 製品に欠陥があった。(Seihin ni kekkan ga atta.) - The product had a defect.
- ケン (ken): This reading is less common in modern Japanese. While rare for words consisting only of 欠, you might encounter it in specific or older compounds. Its usage is quite limited compared to ケツ. For instance, 呵欠 (kaketsu) means 'yawn,' though 欠伸 is much more frequently used. For N3 study, understanding ケツ is usually sufficient.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese words that carry the meaning of the kanji 欠. You'll often find them as part of verbs, where the kanji forms the stem and hiragana (okurigana) completes the word. These readings convey more direct, action-oriented meanings, such as 'lacking' or 'being chipped.'
- か・く (ka・ku): As part of the verb 欠く (kaku), it means 'to lack,' 'to miss,' or 'to break (something important).' This verb often suggests a crucial absence or that something is indispensable.
彼は常識を欠いている。(Kare wa joushiki wo kaite iru.) — He lacks common sense.
この 計画には彼が欠せない。(Kono keikaku ni wa kare ga kasenai.) — He is indispensable to this plan.
礼儀を欠く行為だ。(Reigi wo kaku koui da.) — It's an act lacking politeness.
- か・ける (ka・keru): As part of the verb 欠ける (kakeru), it means 'to be chipped,' 'to be missing,' 'to be imperfect,' or 'to wane (like the moon).' This describes a state of incompleteness or damage.
お皿が欠けている。(Osara ga kakete iru.) — The plate is chipped.
月が欠ける。(Tsuki ga kakeru.) — The moon wanes/is crescent.
パズルのピースが一部欠けている。(Pazuru no piisu ga ichibu kakete iru.) — A piece of the puzzle is missing.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are common words and compounds featuring the kanji 欠, grouped by theme to show its diverse usage.
Absence & Deficiency:
欠席 (kesseki) — absence, non-attendance. 会議を欠席する。(Kaigi wo kesseki suru.) — To be absent from a meeting.
欠勤 (kekkin) — absence from work. 病気で欠勤した。(Byouki de kekkin shita.) — Absent from work due to illness.
欠乏 (ketsubō) — shortage, famine, scarcity. 食料の欠乏。(Shokuryou no ketsubou.) — Food shortage.
欠如 (ketsujo) — lack, absence, deficiency. 責任感の欠如。(Sekininkan no ketsujo.) — Lack of responsibility.
欠番 (ketsuban) — missing number. その 番号は欠番です。(Sono bangou wa ketsuban desu.) — That number is missing.
Flaws & Imperfections:
欠点 (ketten) — fault, defect, weak point. 自分の欠点を直す。(Jibun no ketten wo naosu.) — To correct one's faults.
欠陥 (kekkan) — defect, flaw, deformity. 設計の欠陥。(Sekkei no kekkan.) — Design flaw.
欠損 (kesson) — deficit, loss, damage. 予算の欠損。(Yosan no kesson.) — Budget deficit.
Necessity & Indispensability:
不可欠 (fukaketsu) — indispensable, essential. 水は生命に不可欠だ。(Mizu wa seimei ni fukaketsu da.) — Water is indispensable for life.
Other:
欠伸 (akubi) — yawn. 大きな欠伸をする。(Ookina akubi wo suru.) — To give a big yawn.
Example Sentences
彼は会議に欠席したため、重要な情報を欠いた。
Kare wa kaigi ni kesseki shita tame, juuyou na jouhou wo kaita.
Because he was absent from the meeting, he lacked important information.
人生において、何かを欠さずに生きることは難しい。
Jinsei ni oite, nani ka wo kasazu ni ikiru koto wa muzukashii.
In life, it is difficult to live without lacking anything.
新しい車には安全面でいくつかの欠陥があった。
Atarashii kuruma ni wa anzenmen de ikutsuka no kekkan ga atta.
The new car had several defects in terms of safety.
努力を欠けば、目標の達成は不可能だ。
Doryoku wo kakeba, mokuhyou no tassei wa fukanou da.
If you lack effort, achieving your goals is impossible.
彼の性格の欠点は、少し頑固なところです。
Kare no seikaku no ketten wa, sukoshi ganko na tokoro desu.
His personality's weak point is that he is a bit stubborn.
コップの縁が少し欠けているので、使わないほうがいい。
Koppu no fuchi ga sukoshi kakete iru node, tsukawanai hou ga ii.
The rim of the glass is slightly chipped, so it's better not to use it.
チームには彼のような熱意が不可欠だ。
Chiimu ni wa kare no you na netsui ga fukaketsu da.
Passion like his is indispensable for the team.
現代社会では、コミュニケーション能力の欠如が問題となっている。
Gendai shakai de wa, komyunikeeshon nouryoku no ketsujo ga mondai to natte iru.
In modern society, a lack of communication skills has become a problem.
栄養の欠乏は、健康に悪影響を及ぼす。
Eiyou no ketsubou wa, kenkou ni akueikyou wo oyobosu.
Nutritional deficiency has a negative impact on health.
長い会議の間、私は何度も欠伸をしてしまった。
Nagai kaigi no aida, watashi wa nando mo akubi wo shite shimatta.
During the long meeting, I yawned many times.
Memory Tip
Picture someone yawning widely, their mouth open and head tilted back. This open mouth symbolizes a 'gap' or 'lack'—perhaps a lack of sleep, or simply air as they breathe in deeply. You can also imagine a small, round item, like a cookie or coin, with a piece visibly 'missing' or 'chipped' from its edge. This creates a 'lack' in its perfect shape. Visualizing something incomplete or having a void is an excellent way to remember 欠. Think of the kanji as a person with a 'missing' part where their mouth should be, always ready to yawn or express a need.