1.
to lack, to be without, to be missing
To not have something that is normally expected or necessary. Used for abstract qualities like manners, common sense, or essential conditions rather than physical objects.
礼儀を欠く。
To lack manners.
彼の発言は配慮を欠いている。
His remarks lack consideration.
安全性を欠く製品は市場に出すべきではない。
Products that lack safety should not be put on the market.
2.
to chip, to break off a piece
To break or chip off part of something, especially a hard object like a tooth, cup, or plate. The transitive counterpart of 欠ける.
歯を欠いてしまった。
I chipped my tooth.
茶碗の縁を欠く。
To chip the rim of a rice bowl.
落とした拍子に皿の端を欠いてしまった。
I chipped the edge of the plate when I dropped it.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (五段動詞), く row.
- Negative: 欠かない
- Polite: 欠きます
- Te-form: 欠いて
- Past: 欠いた
- Potential: 欠ける
TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive (他動詞). The intransitive counterpart is 欠ける (to be chipped, to be lacking).
PATTERNS:
- 〜を欠く: to lack ~, to be without ~
- 欠くことのできない: indispensable, essential
- 欠かせない: indispensable (from the causative-negative)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 礼儀を欠く: to lack manners
- 配慮を欠く: to lack consideration
- 常識を欠く: to lack common sense
- 誠意を欠く: to lack sincerity
- 欠かせない存在: an indispensable presence