欠

JLPT N3

lack

Readings

On’yomi: ケツ (ketsu)

Kun’yomi: か(ける), か(く) (ka(keru), ka(ku))

• か(ける) – to lack, to be missing • か(く) – to lack, to be short of

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

欠ける

かける

be lacking

欠点

けってん

fault

欠席

けっせき

absence

欠乏

けつぼう

shortage

欠勤

けっきん

absence from work

Example Sentences

歯が欠けます。

はがかけます。

A tooth is chipped.

欠点です。

けってんです。

It is a fault.

欠席します。

けっせきします。

I am absent.

欠乏しています。

けつぼうしています。

There is a shortage.

欠勤します。

けっきんします。

I am absent from work.

Cultural Note

💭 In Japanese, 欠 often appears in contrast with 満 (full) — e.g., 欠点 (flaw) vs. 満点 (perfect score) — reflecting the balance between perfection and imperfection in life.