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.
scantily
Only sparsely or inadequately dressed. This meaning is somewhat outdated.
Trotz der Kälte waren die Kinder nur dürftig gekleidet.
Despite the cold, the children were only scantily dressed.
'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.
insufficient
Unzureichend neutrally assesses that the quantity, scope, or quality is not sufficient for a requirement. Dürftig can describe the same basic problem, but it often also conveys the evaluative impression of sparseness or wretchedness. Unzureichend suits an objective assessment; dürftig is more appropriate for a clearly critical description.
Der Bericht bietet nur dürftige Informationen zu dem wichtigen Problem.
The report provides only meager information about the important problem.
Die Informationen im Bericht sind unzureichend, um eine Entscheidung zu treffen.
The information in the report is insufficient to make a decision.
