Insuficiente
Use it when something objectively fails to meet a necessary standard, especially in formal or serious situations.
في 15 ثانية
- Means 'not enough' or 'falling short' of a specific requirement.
- Used in professional, academic, and financial contexts frequently.
- Gender-neutral adjective that only changes for plural (insuficientes).
المعنى
It means something just isn't enough or falls short of what is needed. Use it when a quantity, an effort, or even a feeling doesn't meet the mark.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Checking your bank balance
O saldo da conta é insuficiente para a compra.
The account balance is insufficient for the purchase.
Giving feedback on a project
A sua explicação foi insuficiente para entendermos o problema.
Your explanation was insufficient for us to understand the problem.
Texting about a bad battery
Minha bateria está insuficiente, vai desligar!
My battery is too low, it's going to turn off!
خلفية ثقافية
The word is deeply embedded in the Lusophone education system as a formal grade for failing marks. While it is a standard Latin-root word, its use in daily life often triggers a 'school report' feeling. In modern banking, it is the universal term for 'insufficient funds' across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
The Plural Trick
Remember that words ending in 'e' in Portuguese usually just add an 's' for plural. So `insuficiente` becomes `insuficientes`. It works for both masculine and feminine nouns!
Don't be a Robot
If you are at a dinner party, saying the wine is `insuficiente` makes you sound like a health inspector. Use `está acabando` (it's running out) instead.
في 15 ثانية
- Means 'not enough' or 'falling short' of a specific requirement.
- Used in professional, academic, and financial contexts frequently.
- Gender-neutral adjective that only changes for plural (insuficientes).
What It Means
Insuficiente is your go-to word for 'not enough.' It describes a gap between what you have and what you need. It covers everything from a low bank balance to a weak apology. It feels more precise than just saying pouco (little). It implies a standard was set and missed. Think of it as the red ink on a failed test.
How To Use It
You use it just like an adjective in English. Place it after the noun it describes. For example, recursos insuficientes means insufficient resources. It doesn't change for gender, which is a relief! It only changes for number. One thing is insuficiente. Two things are insuficientes. It is punchy and direct.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings to sound objective. It is perfect for reports or feedback. Use it at the bank when your funds are low. Use it in a relationship when someone isn't trying hard enough. It works well when you want to be firm. It sounds more serious than saying 'I need more.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for casual food portions with friends. If a friend gives you a tiny slice of cake, don't say it's insuficiente. That sounds like a cold business review! Use é muito pouco instead. Avoid it in high-emotion, casual arguments where it might sound too clinical. It can feel a bit 'robotic' in very warm, cozy settings.
Cultural Background
In Portugal and Brazil, this word is tied to the grading system. In schools, Insuficiente is the dreaded 'D' or 'F' grade. Because of this, the word carries a sting of failure for many. It’s the word that told generations of kids they needed to study harder. It carries a weight of 'not meeting expectations' that is quite heavy.
Common Variations
You might hear insuficientemente as an adverb. People also use falta de (lack of) as a more common spoken alternative. In slang, Brazilians might say não deu pro gasto (it wasn't enough for the expense). In Portugal, someone might say soube a pouco if an experience was too short. But insuficiente remains the gold standard for formal clarity.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
Highly versatile but leans toward formal and objective registers. In casual speech, it can sound slightly cold or overly precise unless used for emphasis.
The Plural Trick
Remember that words ending in 'e' in Portuguese usually just add an 's' for plural. So `insuficiente` becomes `insuficientes`. It works for both masculine and feminine nouns!
Don't be a Robot
If you are at a dinner party, saying the wine is `insuficiente` makes you sound like a health inspector. Use `está acabando` (it's running out) instead.
The Grade Trauma
In Brazil and Portugal, 'Insuficiente' is literally a grade on a report card. Using it with a friend might jokingly imply you are 'grading' their behavior.
أمثلة
6O saldo da conta é insuficiente para a compra.
The account balance is insufficient for the purchase.
Standard message you will see on an ATM or banking app.
A sua explicação foi insuficiente para entendermos o problema.
Your explanation was insufficient for us to understand the problem.
A polite but very firm way to ask for more detail.
Minha bateria está insuficiente, vai desligar!
My battery is too low, it's going to turn off!
A bit formal for a text, but emphasizes the dire situation.
Apenas uma xícara de café é insuficiente para me acordar hoje.
Just one cup of coffee is insufficient to wake me up today.
Using a formal word for a mundane thing creates a funny effect.
Sinto que o seu esforço é insuficiente para salvar nossa relação.
I feel that your effort is insufficient to save our relationship.
Very heavy and serious; indicates a major gap in expectations.
Esta porção é insuficiente para duas pessoas.
This portion is insufficient for two people.
Clear and objective way to complain to a waiter.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form for a plural subject.
Os documentos apresentados são ___.
Since 'documentos' is plural, the adjective must also be plural.
Which word best fits a formal rejection of an apology?
Um simples 'desculpe' é ___ para o que você fez.
Insuficiente provides the necessary weight and formality for a serious reprimand.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Not Enough'
Using 'pouco' or 'não dá'
É pouco café.
Standard daily use
Não é o bastante.
The word 'Insuficiente'
Saldo insuficiente.
Where to use Insuficiente
Banking
Fundo insuficiente
School
Nota insuficiente
Work
Dados insuficientes
Health
Vitaminas insuficientes
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةRarely. You wouldn't call a person insuficiente, but you could say their *performance* or *effort* is insuficiente.
The opposite is suficiente (sufficient). You can also use bastante (enough/plenty).
Yes, but only in an objective way, like 'The food was insuficiente for all the guests.' For taste, use other words.
No. You can say água insuficiente (feminine) and dinheiro insuficiente (masculine).
Yes, it is used identically in all Portuguese-speaking countries, especially in formal contexts.
Not at all, but it is negative. It points out a deficiency, so use it when you need to be critical.
Yes, if a feeling doesn't meet a need, like um amor insuficiente (an insufficient love), though this is quite poetic/dramatic.
In-su-fi-ci-EN-te. The stress is on the 'en' syllable.
Pouco just means 'a small amount.' Insuficiente means 'less than what is required.' There is a subtle difference in expectation.
Forgetting the plural 's' when talking about multiple things, like saying recursos insuficiente instead of recursos insuficientes.
عبارات ذات صلة
O suficiente
Enough / Sufficiently
Falta de
Lack of
Escasso
Scarce / In short supply
Dar para o gasto
To be just enough to get by (idiom)
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