供給

きょうきゅう

supply, provision

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 供給 (きょうきゅう) means "supply" or "provision" and is commonly used in contexts involving the distribution or delivery of resources such as water, electricity, food, or goods. It often appears in formal or technical contexts, such as news reports, government announcements, or business discussions.

Common Collocations

  • 供給する: to supply or provide something.
  • 電力供給 (でんりょくきょうきゅう): power supply.
  • 食料供給 (しょくりょうきょうきゅう): food supply.
  • 供給不足 (きょうきゅうぶそく): supply shortage.

These collocations are useful to know because they frequently appear in news or business contexts.

Usage Notes

When using 供給, the focus is on the act or system of supplying something necessary. It is more formal than simply giving or providing (あげる or あたえる). Learners should avoid confusing 供給 with 消費 (しょうひ, consumption), which is the act of using up resources.

Common Mistake

A common mistake is to use 供給 when referring to personal giving or sharing, which is better expressed with あげる or くれる. 供給 is best reserved for larger scale or systematic provision, such as utilities or goods.

Example Sentences

このちいきではみずのきょうきゅうがふあんていだ。

The water supply in this area is unstable.

でんりょくのきょうきゅうがていしされたため、こうじょうはいちじてきにていしした。

Because the power supply was stopped, the factory temporarily shut down.

せいふはしょくりょうのきょうきゅうをふやすためにあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした。

The government announced a new policy to increase the food supply.