足りない
tarinai
The English phrase "not enough" is translated into Japanese as 足りない (tarinai).
足りない is used to indicate that an insufficient amount of something exists. This can describe physical quantities, such as money or food, as well as abstract concepts, such as sleep or time.
Which one should you use?
While 足りない is a standard way to express insufficiency, 十分ではありません is a more formal way to say "it is not sufficient". Additionally, 物足りない is an informal expression used specifically to convey a sense of dissatisfaction or a feeling that something is unfulfilling.
How does it change in a sentence?
足りない is the negative form of the verb 足りる, which means "to be enough". To change the phrase from informal to polite, replace the ending of 足りない with 足りません.
How do you pronounce it?
tarinai
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, 足りない is used as a polite euphemism to suggest someone is lacking in intelligence or common sense without using a direct insult.
- The word 足りない shares the same root character as the word for 'foot' 足. This reflects an ancient linguistic connection between the idea of reaching a certain length or measure and the physical distance of a footstep.
- While 十分ではありません is the formal version of 'not enough', the word 十分 (juubun) literally means 'ten parts', originating from the idea that ten parts make a complete whole.
Examples in context
- 事足りないよ。It's not enough.This sentence shows how to use 足りない to say something is not enough.Tatoeba #11984021 by small_snow, translation #1855207 by Spamster
- 最近寝ても寝ても寝足りない。Lately, no matter how much I sleep, it's not enough.This sentence illustrates using 足りない to describe a lack of sleep.Tatoeba #3227545 by tommy_san, translation #9235191 by kedymera
- 多いけど、まだ足りないのよ。It is a lot, but still it's not enough.This sentence uses 足りない to express that even a large amount is still not enough.Tatoeba #11625212 by small_snow, translation #10012839 by sundown
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Yui realizes they can't pay for the meal.
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、小銭が足りないです。Sumimasen, kozeni ga tarinai desu.Excuse me, I don't have enough small change.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫？僕が少し出すよ。Daijoubu? Boku ga sukoshi dasu yo.Are you okay? I'll pay a little bit.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さん、ありがとうございます。Hiroto-san, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto気にしないで。Ki ni shinaide.Don't worry about it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
