不够

不够 (bù gòu) means 'not enough' or 'insufficient.' It describes a situation where something is lacking in quantity, quality, or adequacy. Unlike similar terms like 太多 (too much), 不够 focuses on the lack rather than excess.

The character 不 (bù) means 'not,' and 够 (gòu) means 'enough' or 'sufficient.' Together, they form a negation of sufficiency, indicating that something falls short of what is needed or expected.

不够 is commonly used in daily conversations to express that something is insufficient, such as time, resources, or effort. It can also be used metaphorically, like saying someone is not qualified for a task. In cultural contexts, it often reflects values of moderation and balance in Chinese society.