供不应求

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: gōng bù yìng qiú
• English Translation: Supply falls short of demand (in short supply)
• Idiom Composition: 「供」（To supply or provide）＋「不」（Not (negation)）＋「应」（To meet, respond to, or satisfy）＋「求」（Demand, request, or requirement）
• Meaning: A state where the quantity of supply is less than the quantity of demand, making it impossible to satisfy all requests. It is used to objectively describe situations where products or services are so popular they sell out, or where resources are scarce.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「供不应求」 contains the following nuances:

• Supply-Demand Imbalance: This idiom specifically highlights the 'Demand > Supply' ratio. It doesn't just mean something is scarce; it means it is scarce relative to the high number of people who want it.
• Positive vs. Negative Contexts: It can be used positively to describe a 'hit' product that is selling well, or negatively to describe a bottleneck or crisis where essential resources are failing to meet public needs.

3. Usage

「供不应求」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Business and Market Trends: The most common usage, describing popular new products or items that are constantly out of stock.
  • Example:「这款新款手机一上市就供不应求，很多商店都断货了。」
    （This new smartphone fell short of demand as soon as it hit the market, and many stores are out of stock.）
• Resource and Talent Shortages: Used to describe social or economic situations where resources like electricity, water, or specific professional skills are lacking.
  • Example:「随着AI技术的发展，相关领域的专业人才目前供不应求。」
    （With the development of AI technology, professional talent in related fields is currently in short supply.）

Additional Examples:

1. 由于原材料短缺，市场上的建筑钢材出现了供不应求的现象。
   （Due to a shortage of raw materials, construction steel in the market is showing a phenomenon where supply cannot keep up with demand.）
2. 这家餐厅的限量甜点每天都供不应求，想吃得早点去排队。
   （The limited-edition desserts at this restaurant are in high demand every day; if you want to eat one, you need to go early and line up.）
3. 旺季到来时，飞往旅游胜地的机票往往供不应求。
   （When peak season arrives, flight tickets to tourist destinations are often in short supply.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Usage Register: This is an extremely common idiom found in news reports, business meetings, and daily conversations. It is accessible and does not sound overly academic.
• Economic Foundation: It is the standard way to express the fundamental economic concept of a 'seller's market.' It is frequently paired with its antonym 供过于求 (gōng guò yú qiú), which means 'supply exceeds demand.'
• Business Nuance: Companies often use this phrase as a 'happy complaint' to signal to investors or the public that their products are incredibly popular.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 僧多粥少 (sēng duō zhōu shǎo): Literally 'many monks and little porridge'; a more metaphorical and colloquial way to say there isn't enough to go around.
  • 洛阳纸贵 (luò yáng zhǐ guì): Literally 'paper is expensive in Luoyang'; specifically used to describe a book or piece of writing that has become a massive bestseller.
  • 人山人海 (rén shān rén hǎi): A vast crowd of people.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 供过于求 (gōng guò yú qiú): Supply exceeds demand; a surplus or oversupply.
  • 无人问津 (wú rén wèn jīn): Literally 'no one asks the way'; used for products or places that no one is interested in or that are completely neglected.link
  • 人迹罕至 (rén jì hǎn zhì): A place where few people visit or tread.link

6. Summary

供不应求 (gōng bù yìng qiú) is a highly practical idiom used to describe a situation where supply cannot keep up with demand. Whether discussing business trends, market shortages, or the popularity of a local restaurant, it is the standard way to express that something is in high demand and short supply.