to lack
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to lack
To be present in an insufficient amount; to be missing. Usually the impersonal construction 'es mangelt an etwas' (something is lacking) with the dative is used.
In diesem Projekt mangelt es an Geld und qualifiziertem Personal.
This project lacks money and qualified staff.
This verb is almost always used in the impersonal form 'es mangelt an ...' (there is a lack of ...). What is missing comes after the preposition 'an' in the dative.
Dem Team mangelt es an Erfahrung für solch ein großes Projekt.
The team lacks the experience for such a large project.
If you want to indicate who lacks something, this person or group is in the dative. The structure is then: 'Es mangelt jemandem (Dativ) an etwas (Dativ)' (someone lacks something).
Mir mangelt es an Zeit, um all meine Hobbys auszuüben.
I lack the time to pursue all my hobbies.
The verb 'mangeln' (to lack) belongs to the noun 'der Mangel' (lack/shortage). Both express that something is not present in a sufficient amount.
Wegen des Mangels an Fachkräften finden viele Firmen keine Mitarbeiter.
Because of the shortage of skilled workers, many companies cannot find employees.
The construction 'es mangelt an' (there is a lack of) belongs more to formal or written language. It often sounds more elevated than simpler formulations.
In der offiziellen Begründung hieß es, es mangele an finanziellen Mitteln.
The official explanation stated that there was a lack of financial resources.
to be absent / to be missing
'fehlen' and 'mangeln' can both mean that something is not there or not available in sufficient quantity. 'fehlen' is very common and direct in everyday language: 'Uns fehlt Zeit' (We lack time). 'mangeln' sounds somewhat more formal and often appears in the form 'es mangelt an' with the dative: 'Es mangelt an Zeit' (There is a lack of time). Learners may confuse the words because their meaning is almost the same. The grammar is important: with 'fehlen', the missing thing can be the subject; with 'mangeln', you very often use 'es' as an impersonal subject.
In dem kleinen Team mangelt es an Erfahrung.
The small team lacks experience.
Beim Packen fehlt mir noch ein warmer Pullover.
When packing, I still need a warm sweater.