Usage note
缺乏表示缺少某物，常用于抽象或具体事物。
Quēfá biǎoshì quēshǎo mǒu wù, cháng yòng yú chōuxiàng huò jùtǐ shìwù.
Lack indicates missing something, often used for abstract or concrete things.
Context note
当某物不足或需要但没得到时使用。
Dāng mǒu wù bùzú huò xūyào dàn méi dédào shí shǐyòng.
Use when something is insufficient or needed but not obtained.
5 examples
他缺乏自信。
tā quē fá zì xìn。
He lacks self-confidence.
这个地区缺乏水资源。
zhè ge dì qū quē fá shuǐ zī yuán。
This area lacks water resources.
我们缺乏时间。
wǒ men quē fá shí jiān。
We are short of time.
她缺乏经验。
tā quē fá jīng yàn。
She lacks experience.
孩子们缺乏运动。
hái zi men quē fá yùn dòng。
The children lack exercise.
5 mini stories
小明缺乏勇气，不敢上台演讲。
xiǎo míng quē fá yǒng qì， bù gǎn shàng tái yǎn jiǎng。
Xiaoming lacks courage and doesn't dare go on stage to speak.
因为缺乏食物，动物们很饿。
yīn wèi quē fá shí wù， dòng wù men hěn è。
Because of lack of food, the animals are very hungry.
缺乏睡眠会让人感到疲劳。
quē fá shuì mián huì ràng rén gǎn dào pí láo。
Lack of sleep makes people feel tired.
这个花园缺乏阳光，花儿不开。
zhè ge huā yuán quē fá yáng guāng， huā ér bù kāi。
This garden lacks sunlight, so the flowers don't bloom.
他缺乏朋友，常常一个人玩。
tā quē fá péng yǒu， cháng cháng yí gè rén wán。
He lacks friends, often plays alone.
Mini dialogue
多喝水
A
你看起来很累。
Nǐ kàn qǐlái hěn lèi.
You look tired.
B
我可能缺乏睡眠。
Wǒ kěnéng quēfá shuìmián.
I might be lacking sleep.
吃水果
A
为什么我们要吃水果？
Wèishénme wǒmen yào chī shuǐguǒ?
Why do we need to eat fruit?
B
因为身体不能缺乏维生素。
Yīnwèi shēntǐ bùnéng quēfá wéishēngsù.
Because the body can't lack vitamins.
Related words and contrasts
similar
缺少
quēshǎo
lack; be short of
Both mean to lack, but 缺乏 is more formal and often used for abstract things.
opposite
充足
chōngzú
sufficient; ample
缺乏 means to lack, 充足 means to have plenty.