Meaning of 缺陷
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- defect; flaw
How to use 缺陷
缺陷 is a formal noun for a flaw in a product, a system, a design, or a person's body or character. It often appears with words like 存在 (cúnzài, to exist) or 设计 (shèjì, design). Example: 这个产品有严重的缺陷。(Zhège chǎnpǐn yǒu yánzhòng de quēxiàn.) This product has a serious defect.
缺 (quē) means to lack or be missing, as in 缺少 (quēshǎo), and 陷 (xiàn) means a pit or to sink, as in 陷阱 (xiànjǐng). Picture something with a missing piece and a dent sunk into it, and you have a defect.
Common mistake: Learners often use 缺陷 where 缺点 (quēdiǎn) is more natural. 缺点 is the everyday word for someone's weak points or faults, while 缺陷 sounds heavier and suggests a real defect or deficiency, so saying 我的缺陷是懒 sounds odd.
缺陷 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
缺 quē · deficiency · 10 strokes
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陷 xiàn · pitfall · 10 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 缺陷.
| 缺少 | quēshǎo | lack; shortage of |
| 缺点 | quēdiǎn | weak point; fault |
| 缺乏 | quēfá | to lack; to be short of |
| 陷入 | xiànrù | to sink into; to get caught up in |
| 陷阱 | xiànjǐng | pitfall; snare |
| 缺席 | quēxí | to be absent |
| 缺口 | quēkǒu | nick; jag |
| 短缺 | duǎnquē | shortage |
| 缺失 | quēshī | lack; deficiency; shortcoming; flaw; defect |
| 欠缺 | qiànquē | to be deficient in; lapse |
| 残缺 | cánquē | badly damaged; shattered |
| 紧缺 | jǐnquē | in short supply; scarce |
Questions about 缺陷
What does 缺陷 mean?
缺陷 (quēxiàn) means "defect; flaw" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 缺陷?
缺陷 is made of 2 characters: 缺 (10 strokes), 陷 (10 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 缺陷 an HSK word?
Yes. 缺陷 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 缺陷 describe a physical disability?
Yes. Phrases like 生理缺陷 (shēnglǐ quēxiàn, physical defect) exist, but they can sound blunt or clinical. In polite modern speech, 残疾 (cánjí) or more neutral wording is often preferred.
What verbs commonly go with 缺陷?
Common pairings include 存在缺陷 (to have a defect), 弥补缺陷 (míbǔ quēxiàn, to make up for a flaw), and 发现缺陷 (fāxiàn quēxiàn, to discover a defect). You will see these often in news, reviews, and technical writing.