欠陥

The term refers to a structural, functional, or inherent flaw that prevents something from operating as intended or meeting a required standard. It is a formal and technical term often used in legal, industrial, and psychological contexts.

Compared to the word "欠点" (ketten), which refers to general shortcomings, weaknesses, or minor imperfections in a person's character or a thing's quality, "欠陥" implies a more severe, fundamental failure. For example, while a person might have a "欠点" like being clumsy, a "欠陥" in character suggests a deep-seated psychological or moral deficiency.

In a commercial context, it is the standard term for "product defects" that lead to recalls or lawsuits. It suggests that the item is not just "low quality," but fundamentally broken or dangerous due to its design or manufacture.