Definitions
(adjective)
lacking; short of
(adjective)
tired; fatigued
Etymology
Derived from 正, but with the line on top slanted to indicate "crooked (i.e. not straight)". The meaning later shifted to "lack".
About
The character "乏" originated from a conceptual inversion of the character "正", representing a turn away from correctness toward a state of absence or insufficiency. Its modern form is a single, indivisible unit that serves as its own radical. The core meaning of lacking or being deficient has remained consistent, but over time the character also came to convey a sense of weariness or exhaustion, as seen in its role within words like "疲乏".
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他缺乏经验。
这项工作很乏味。
我疲乏得想睡觉。
缺乏睡眠会导致疲乏。
他的演讲内容贫乏。
这种食物缺乏营养。
长期疲乏可能影响健康。
缺乏有效的沟通会导致误解。