kakulangan
/kakulaˈŋan/
The English word "deficiency" is translated into Tagalog as kakulangan.
The term refers to an insufficiency.
Meaning: insufficiency (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word kakulangan is derived from the root word kulang, which means lacking or insufficient.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun kakulangan is formed by applying the reduplication and affixation pattern to the root kulang to indicate a state of being insufficient.
How do you pronounce it?
/kakulaˈŋan/
Did you know?
- The root kulang is used in the common expression kulang sa pansin, which literally means 'lacking in attention' to describe someone who is acting out to get noticed.
- While kakulangan means deficiency, the phrase kulang na lang is used idiomatically to mean 'all that is missing is' or 'almost', often to express a near-impossible situation.
- To describe someone who is 'mentally deficient' or eccentric in a colloquial way, Filipinos might say they are may kulang, meaning 'something is missing'.
Examples in context
- Kapos ang pera ko ngayon.I'm short on money right now.
- May kakulangan sa suplay ng pagkain.There is a deficiency in the food supply.
- May kakulangan sa tulog ang mga bata.Children have a deficiency in sleep.
- Ang kakulangan ng tubig ay masama sa tanim.A deficiency of water is bad for the plants.
- Nagdulot ng sakit ang kakulangan ng bitamina.A deficiency of vitamins caused illness.
Example conversation
Jasmine and Ricardo are discussing a person's health.
- JasmineMay kakulangan ba sa iron ang pasyente?Is there an iron deficiency in the patient?
- RicardoOo, kailangan niya ng gamot.Yes, he needs medicine.
- JasmineSalamat sa impormasyon, Ricardo.Thank you for the information, Ricardo.
- RicardoWalang anuman, Jasmine.You're welcome, Jasmine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kakulangan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
