1. a lack or shortage of something that is needed
缺乏，不足
The soil has a severe deficiency in nitrogen.
這片土壤嚴重缺乏氮。
A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.
維生素C不足可能導致壞血病。
Deficiency Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
deficiency
noun
快速理解
What does "Deficiency" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Deficiency"?
指某物不足、缺乏或存在缺陷的狀態。
- 1
數量或成分不足
EN: a lack or shortage of something that is needed
翻譯: 指所需事物在數量或成分上的不足或短缺。
- 2
身體缺乏
EN: a lack of a necessary substance in the body
翻譯: 指身體缺乏必要的營養素或物質。
- 3
缺陷或弱點
EN: a fault or weakness in something
翻譯: 指事物本身存在的缺陷、弱點或不完善之處。
小提醒：注意：'deficiency' 通常指客觀的、可量化的不足或缺陷，而非主觀感覺上的『想要更多』。例如，'vitamin deficiency'（維生素缺乏症）是醫學狀態，而 'lack of sleep'（睡眠不足）則較為通用。
發音（How to Pronounce "Deficiency" in English）
How to pronounce "Deficiency" in English?"Deficiency" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Deficiency" from YouTube Videos
It's not fair having 12 pairs of legs | Aimee Mullins
TED
“It is no longer a conversation about overcoming deficiency. It's a conversation about augmentation. It's a conversation about potential.”
(1 out of 1)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Deficiency"?How does "Deficiency" change by context?
2. a failing or shortcoming in a system, plan, or person
缺陷，缺點
The report highlighted several deficiencies in the safety procedures.
這份報告指出了安全程序中的幾項缺陷。
He was aware of his own deficiencies as a public speaker.
他意識到自己作為一名公眾演說者的不足之處。
3. the state of being inadequate or below an acceptable standard
不足的狀態，不達標
The bridge was closed due to a structural deficiency.
這座橋因結構性缺陷而被關閉。
The patient was diagnosed with an iron deficiency.
該病人被診斷出患有缺鐵症。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Deficiency"?How to make natural sentences with "Deficiency"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| deficiency in + noun | 在…方面的缺乏/不足 | The report highlights a deficiency in safety protocols. (報告強調了安全協議方面的不足。) |
| deficiency of + noun | …的缺乏/不足 | A deficiency of vitamin D can lead to bone problems. (維生素D的缺乏可能導致骨骼問題。) |
| suffer from a deficiency | 患有缺乏症 | Many children in the region suffer from a nutritional deficiency. (該地區許多兒童患有營養缺乏症。) |
| correct/make up for a deficiency | 糾正/彌補不足 | The new training program aims to make up for the skill deficiency. (新的培訓計劃旨在彌補技能上的不足。) |
| show a deficiency | 顯示出不足 | The test results show a clear deficiency in his understanding. (測試結果顯示出他理解上的明顯不足。) |
| mental/physical deficiency | 心智/身體缺陷 | The law protects individuals with physical deficiencies from discrimination. (該法律保護身體有缺陷的人免受歧視。) |
用法說明
How is "Deficiency" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Deficiency"?
deficiency in vs deficiency of
- deficiency in 通常用於指某個特定領域、學科或技能上的不足或缺陷。
- deficiency of 則更常指某種具體物質、成分或資源的缺乏，尤其在醫學、營養或化學領域。
- 兩者有時可互換，但語境會影響慣用選擇。 EN: The report highlighted a serious deficiency in their safety protocols. 翻譯: 報告指出他們的安全規程存在嚴重缺陷。
EN:A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.
翻譯:維生素C缺乏可能導致壞血病。
總結建議
一般來說，指抽象概念或能力的不足用 deficiency in，指具體物質的缺乏則用 deficiency of。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Deficiency" and similar words?How to choose "Deficiency" vs alternatives?
deficiency vs lack
「deficiency」通常指特定必要成分的不足，尤其在醫學或營養學領域；「lack」則泛指任何事物的短缺，範圍更廣。
deficiency vs shortage
「deficiency」強調內在或本質上的不足；「shortage」則指數量上的短缺，通常與供應或庫存有關。
deficiency vs insufficiency
兩者皆可指不足，但「deficiency」程度更重，指明顯缺乏；「insufficiency」語氣較溫和，指不充分或不夠。
口語用法
How is "Deficiency" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Deficiency"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人（如醫生、專家）的診斷或意見時，常用此字。 EN: My doctor said I have an iron deficiency. 翻譯: 我的醫生說我有缺鐵的問題。
EN:She keeps mentioning a deficiency in the system.
翻譯:她一直提到系統有個缺陷。
語氣強調
為了強調缺乏的嚴重性或具體性，會在 deficiency 前加上形容詞，或使用加重語氣的說法。 EN: That's a major deficiency we need to address immediately. 翻譯: 那是個我們必須立刻處理的重大缺陷。
EN:There's a clear deficiency in their planning.
翻譯:他們的規劃有個明顯的不足。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找精確用詞時，可能會用 "a deficiency in..." 或 "the deficiency is..." 作為短暫停頓後的開頭。 EN: The main issue, well, the deficiency is in communication. 翻譯: 主要的問題，嗯，不足之處在於溝通。
EN:So what we found... a deficiency in resources.
翻譯:所以我們發現的是…資源上的短缺。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式報告中，應使用更精確的術語（如 "insufficiency", "shortfall", "defect"）或具體名稱（如 "vitamin D deficiency"），並提供數據支持，避免單獨、模糊地使用 "deficiency"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Deficiency"?What fixed phrases with "Deficiency" should I remember?
deficiency in
deficiency in [something]
在...方面的缺乏或不足
iron deficiency
[nutrient/mineral] deficiency
鐵質缺乏
make up for a deficiency
make up for a deficiency
彌補不足
deficiency disease
deficiency disease
缺乏症
mental deficiency
[adjective] deficiency
智能不足
correct a deficiency
correct a deficiency
糾正/矯正缺乏
immune deficiency
immune deficiency
免疫缺陷
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Deficiency"?Which "Deficiency" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He has a deficiency of vitamin C.
✓He has a vitamin C deficiency.
在醫學或營養學語境中，表示缺乏某種特定物質時，通常將該物質（如維生素、礦物質）置於 'deficiency' 之前，形成複合名詞，而非使用 'of' 結構。
×There is a deficiency in the system.
✓There is a deficiency in the system.
此句文法正確，但語意模糊。'deficiency' 通常指具體的不足或缺陷，應具體說明是『哪方面』的不足，以提升表達的清晰度。
×She is deficiency in patience.
✓She is deficient in patience.
'deficiency' 是名詞，不能直接用作形容詞來描述主語的狀態。應使用其形容詞形式 'deficient'，並搭配介系詞 'in' 來表示『在...方面有所缺乏』。
×We need to solve this deficiency.
✓We need to address / remedy / correct this deficiency.
動詞 'solve' 通常與『問題』(problem) 或『謎題』(puzzle) 搭配。對於『不足』或『缺陷』(deficiency)，更地道的搭配動詞是 'address'（處理）、'remedy'（補救）、'correct'（糾正）或 'make up for'（彌補）。
×His deficiency to understand complex instructions is a problem.
✓His inability to understand complex instructions is a problem.
'deficiency' 主要指數量、成分或功能上的『不足、缺乏』，通常不直接用來描述『能力上的缺乏』。表示『沒有能力做某事』應使用 'inability'。若要使用 'deficiency'，需調整結構，如 'a deficiency in his ability to understand...'，但較為冗長。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Deficiency"?What are tense/participle forms of "Deficiency"?