欠
lack · gap · fail · yawning radical (no. 76)
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of person opening mouth. Lacking.
Symbolism
Flaw, absence, shortage. Represents lacking.
Words & Expressions
Words written with 欠
Four-Character Compounds
完全無欠
かんぜんむけつ
flawless; absolute perfection
欠席裁判
けっせきさいばん
trial in absentia; judgment by default (judgement)
困苦欠乏
こんくけつぼう
hardships and privations
金甌無欠
きんおうむけつ
flawless; perfect; (a nation) having never been invaded by outside forces
Proverbs & Idioms
欠点は長所の裏返し
けってんはちょうしょのうらがえし
Faults are the flip side of strengths
Weaknesses can become strengths from another perspective
Anime & Manga
欠けた月とドーナッツ
Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon
A well-known work with 欠 in its Japanese title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 欠 mean in Japanese?
欠 means lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76).
How do you read 欠?
On'yomi: ケツ、ケン (KETSU, KEN). Kun'yomi: か.ける、か.く (kakeru, kaku).
How many strokes does 欠 have?
欠 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 欠 (lack).
Is 欠 a good kanji for a tattoo?
欠 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76). Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.