匮

匱

kuì, guì

匚 + 贵

Frequency#3727

Definitions

kuì surname Kui

guì variant of 櫃|柜[guì]

kuì to lack; lacking; empty; exhausted

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 匚 represents the meaning and 贵 represents the sound. Simplified from 匱.

Semantic: 匚 Phonetic: 贵

About

The character "匮" derives from the traditional form "匱", which is structured with the radical "匚" denoting a container and the component "貴" serving as a phonetic indicator. Originally signifying a chest or box used for storage, its meaning shifted to describe the condition of such a container when empty, thereby evolving to convey concepts of deficiency or lack. The simplified form "匮" retains the radical "匚" but substitutes the phonetic element with "贵", representing a graphical alteration that continues to associate the character with notions of containment and its subsequent absence.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个地区资源匮乏。

Zhè gè dìqū zīyuán kuìfá.

This area lacks resources.

公司目前人才匮乏。

Gōngsī mùqián réncái kuìfá.

The company is currently lacking in talent.

他的知识很匮乏。

Tā de zhīshí hěn kuìfá.

His knowledge is very lacking.

水资源日益匮竭。

Shuǐ zīyuán rìyì kuìjié.

Water resources are increasingly depleted.

能源匮缺问题严重。

Néngyuán kuìquē wèntí yánzhòng.

The energy shortage problem is serious.

在贫困地区，物资匮缺是常态。

Zài pínkùn dìqū, wùzī kuìquē shì chángtài.

In impoverished areas, lack of supplies is the norm.

如果资金继续匮竭，项目将停止。

Rúguǒ zījīn jìxù kuìjié, xiàngmù jiāng tíngzhǐ.

If funds continue to be depleted, the project will halt.

长期的情感匮乏会影响心理健康。

Chángqī de qínggǎn kuìfá huì yǐngxiǎng xīnlǐ jiànkāng.

Long-term emotional deprivation can affect mental health.

Related Characters

Component: 匚

Component: 贵

匮