缺 Stroke Order — How to Write 缺
缺 is written in 10 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 缶, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
缺 Radical and Character Components
缺 is a phono-semantic compound: 缶 (jar) carries the meaning, while 夬 indicates the sound.
Radical: 缶 + 4 more strokes
缺 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- quē
Meanings of 缺 in Chinese
1
quē缺
To lack, to be short of, to be absent.
这份报告还缺一些数据。
This report is still missing some data.
Referring to a flaw, crack, or defect, often used in compounds like 'shortcoming' (缺点), 'chip/gap' (缺口), or 'defect' (缺陷).
这个盘子有一个缺口。
This plate has a chip.
A vacancy (in a position or quota); to be short of; to fill a vacant position.
我们正在寻找合适的人选来补缺市场部经理的职位。
We are looking for a suitable candidate to fill the vacant position of Marketing Manager.
To be absent or missing from a required presence; to lack, especially in the context of attendance (e.g., absent from work, absent from a meeting).
他今天缺席了会议，因为他生病了。
He was absent from today's meeting because he was sick.
Common Words and Phrases with 缺
1
A vacancy or a shortage of personnel, units, or equipment compared to the authorized limit; understaffed.
我们部门目前缺编两人，正在积极招聘新员工。
Our department is currently understaffed by two people and is actively recruiting new employees.
2
Wicked or immoral; lacking in virtue.
为了省一点钱就随意乱扔垃圾，这种行为真是太缺德了。
It's really unscrupulous to just throw trash anywhere to save a little money.
3
A negative aspect, flaw, or shortcoming.
每个人都有自己的优点和缺点。
Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.
4
Vacancy; vacant position or quota.
由于有几名学生临时退学，这个班级现在有几个缺额
Due to several students withdrawing at the last minute, there are now several vacancies in this class.
5
6
An imperfection or shortcoming that causes regret.
这款手机的电池续航是它最大的缺憾。
The battery life of this phone is its biggest drawback.
7
Out of stock; in short supply.
由于供应链问题，这款热门产品目前处于缺货状态
Due to supply chain issues, this popular product is currently out of stock.
8
to give short weight; to shortchange customers by giving less than the agreed amount or weight of goods
这家水果店总是缺斤短两，顾客们都不愿意再来了。
This fruit shop always gives short measure; customers are unwilling to come again.
9
To miss a class or be absent from a lesson.
他因为生病，今天不得不缺课。
He had to miss class today because he was sick.
10
A gap, an opening, a breach, or a shortage/deficit.
那个旧杯子边缘有一个小缺口。
That old cup has a small chip on its rim.
11
gaps and omissions
这份报告中存在一些数据缺漏，需要我们尽快补齐。
There are some data omissions in this report that we need to fill in as soon as possible.
12
a gap or missing category/branch (in a field of study, industry, etc.)
我们的产品线在智能家居领域有一个缺门，需要尽快补上。
Our product line has a gap in the smart home sector, which needs to be filled as soon as possible.
13
Absence from duty or work.
小张因为生病而缺勤了一周的工作，这导致他错过了几个重要的会议。
Xiao Zhang was absent from work for a week due to illness, which caused him to miss several important meetings.
14
to be lacking or absent
这项设计中，安全防护措施缺如，存在潜在风险。
In this design, safety protection measures are absent, posing potential risks.
15
incomplete or damaged, lacking in various parts
这批运来的货物缺三短四，根本无法组装使用。
The batch of goods that arrived was incomplete and damaged, making it impossible to assemble and use.
More words with 缺
- féi肥quē缺Plum job, Lucrative post
- liè列quē缺Lieque, Broken Sequence
- qiàn欠quē缺Lack, Deficiency
- xī稀quē缺scarce; rare; in short supply
- zàn暂quē缺Currently missing, Unavailable
- hòu候quē缺wait for a vacancy, on the waiting list
- kuì匮quē缺deficient; lacking; in short supply
- shòu瘦quē缺meager, scanty
- duǎn短quē缺shortage, deficiency
- kòng空quē缺vacancy, gap
- quē缺shǎo少lack, be short of
- quē缺xí席absent, non-attendance
- quē缺xiàn陷defect, flaw
- jǐn紧quē缺shortage, scarcity
- quē缺rén人shǒu手short-staffed, understaffed
- quē缺shuǐ水lack of water, water shortage
- xiǎo小quē缺diǎn点minor flaw, small defect
- quē缺fá乏gōu沟tōng通Lack of communication, Poor communication
- quē缺fá乏jīng经yàn验lack of experience, inexperienced
- quē缺fá乏yùn运dòng动lack of exercise, physical inactivity
Idioms with 缺
- quē缺chī吃duǎn短chuān穿lacking food and clothing
- quē缺chī吃shǎo少chuān穿lack food and clothing
- quē缺xīn心shǎo少fèi肺naive and thoughtless
- quē缺xīn心yǎn眼er儿simple-minded or lacking common sense
- quē缺yī一bù不kě可all are essential
- quē缺yī衣shǎo少shí食lack food and clothing
- quē缺yuè月zài再yuán圆a couple reuniting after separation
- bào抱cán残shǒu守quē缺cling to old outdated things
- bù不kě可quē缺shǎo少cannot be dispensed with
- cán残quē缺bù不quán全incomplete and broken
- duǎn短jīn斤quē缺liǎng两give short weight or measure
- huā花cán残yuè月quē缺decay and desolation
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Open the tool →Questions about 缺
What does 缺 mean in Chinese?
缺 (quē) means “To lack” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 缺?
缺 is pronounced quē in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 缺 have?
缺 has 10 strokes.
How do you write 缺?
缺 is written in 10 strokes, starting from the radical 缶. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 缺?
The radical of 缺 is 缶, and 缺 is a phono-semantic compound.