Definitions

kuì surname Kui
guì variant of 櫃|柜[guì]
kuì to lack; lacking; empty; exhausted

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified from .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 匮, the simplified form of 匱, is a phono-semantic compound. Its enclosing radical 匚 (fāng) indicates a container, while the inner component 贵 (guì) provides the phonetic element. Originally, it denoted a physical storage chest for valuables, a meaning later transferred to the distinct character 柜. As this concrete sense faded, 匮 took on an abstract meaning: the emptiness of such a container, signifying severe lack, exhaustion, or deficiency. In modern usage, it expresses depletion or scarcity, appearing chiefly in formal terms like 匮乏 (deficient).

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个地区资源乏。

Zhè gè dìqū zīyuán kuìfá.

This area lacks resources.

公司目前人才乏。

Gōngsī mùqián réncái kuìfá.

The company is currently lacking in talent.

他的知识很乏。

Tā de zhīshí hěn kuìfá.

His knowledge is very lacking.

水资源日益竭。

Shuǐ zīyuán rìyì kuìjié.

Water resources are increasingly depleted.

能源缺问题严重。

Néngyuán kuìquē wèntí yánzhòng.

The energy shortage problem is serious.

在贫困地区,物资缺是常态。

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.

长期的情感乏会影响心理健康。

Chángqī de qínggǎn kuìfá huì yǐngxiǎng xīnlǐ jiànkāng.

Long-term emotional deprivation can affect mental health.