verb HSK 4
to owe · to lack · to be deficient
Meaning
欠 primarily means to owe someone something, whether money, favors, or abstract things like apologies. It can also mean to lack or be insufficient in something. The character depicts a person leaning forward with an open mouth, suggesting the idea of lacking or needing something.
Usage
欠 is commonly used in both financial contexts (owing money) and social contexts (owing favors or apologies). It often appears in the pattern 欠...的 to indicate what is owed. Native speakers frequently use it in phrases like 欠债 (to be in debt) and 欠钱 (to owe money).
Examples
- 01我还欠他一百块钱。.I still owe him one hundred yuan.
- 02你欠我一个解释。.You owe me an explanation.
Common collocations
- 欠钱to owe money
- 欠债to be in debt
- 欠缺to lack, deficiency
- 拖欠to be in arrears, to default on payment
Antonyms
Origin
The character 欠 depicts a person with mouth open, yawning or gasping, suggesting a need or deficiency. This visual representation evolved to mean owing or lacking.