Definitions
(verb)
to lack; to be deficient
(verb)
to owe
(verb)
to yawn
Etymology
Pictograph of a person (人) opening their mouth to yawn.
About
The character 欠 originated from a pictographic depiction of a person with an open mouth, initially representing the physical act of yawning or sighing, which implied an opening or gap. This visual basis led to its early association with the concept of lack or absence, a meaning that later extended to encompass abstract insufficiencies and the state of owing, such as in financial debt. In its modern form, 欠 is structured with four strokes and functions both as a standalone character and as a radical in compound characters, often contributing meanings related to breath, oral actions, or deficiency. Over time, its semantic range shifted from denoting a physical gesture to expressing various forms of shortfall or obligation, reflecting an adaptation in usage while maintaining its core thematic link to absence.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他欠我一百块钱。
你还欠我一个解释呢。
他总是拖欠房租。
他给我打了一张欠条。
我感觉自己还欠些火候。
他欠身让客人先进门。
这个计划考虑欠周，需要修改。
他说话总带着一股欠揍的语气。