meager / scanty
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meager
Insufficient, sparse, or poor in quantity, quality, or scope. It describes something that does not meet requirements or expectations.
Die Beweislage für seine Schuld war äußerst dürftig.
The evidence for his guilt was extremely meager.
'Dürftig' (meager/scanty) is related to words like 'Bedarf' (need) or 'bedürfen' (to require/need). It describes something that does not meet a need or requirement.
Die Beleuchtung im Zimmer war für die Arbeit am Schreibtisch zu dürftig.
The lighting in the room was too meager for working at the desk.
In its main meaning, 'dürftig' (meager) often describes abstract things that lack content or quality. Typical phrases are 'dürftige Informationen' (meager information), 'eine dürftige Ausrede' (a weak excuse), or 'ein dürftiges Ergebnis' (a poor result).
Die Begründung für die Absage war sehr dürftig.
The justification for the cancellation was very meager.
The meaning 'spärlich bekleidet' (scantily dressed) is rare today and sounds old-fashioned. You are more likely to find it in older literature than in everyday language.
Im historischen Film waren die Bauern nur dürftig gekleidet.
In the historical film, the peasants were only scantily dressed.
scarce / just under / close
'knapp' and 'dürftig' can both express that something is limited or not very extensive. The important difference lies in the evaluation. 'knapp' can be neutral: there is little time, little money, or a brief answer. 'dürftig' sounds clearly more negative and means that something is not sufficient or is too poor. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with 'wenig' (little / not much). If you only want to say that there is little of something, 'knapp' often fits. If you want to say that it is disappointing or insufficient, 'dürftig' is a better fit.
Die Informationen auf der Webseite waren so dürftig, dass wir noch einmal anrufen mussten.
The information on the website was so meager that we had to call again.
Für den Kurs hat sie nur eine knappe Zusammenfassung geschrieben.
For the course, she wrote only a brief summary.