1.
lack, absence, deficiency
The state of something essential being missing or absent. A formal word typically used for abstract qualities such as awareness, ability, or responsibility, rather than for physical objects.
責任感の欠如が問題だ。
The lack of a sense of responsibility is the problem.
危機意識が欠如している。
There is a lack of crisis awareness.
倫理観の欠如した行動が社会的な批判を浴びた。
The behavior lacking in ethics drew public criticism.
USAGE:
A formal, somewhat critical word. Used as a noun (Xの欠如) or as a suru verb (欠如する / 欠如している). Almost always refers to the absence of abstract or intangible qualities — not physical objects. Often appears in criticism of individuals or organizations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 意識の欠如: lack of awareness
- 責任感の欠如: lack of responsibility
- 配慮の欠如: lack of consideration
- 倫理観の欠如: lack of ethics
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 不足: insufficiency, shortage (more general, can be physical)
- 欠乏: deficiency, want (stronger sense of deprivation, often physical)
- 欠落: omission, gap (something that should be there is missing)