deficiency, deficit

虧 is composed of 虍 (tiger), 隹 (bird), and 亏 (deficiency). 亏 depicts a stream of breath or qi rising upward but bending due to obstruction, which extends to the meaning of hindrance or obstruction. The tiger is fierce and powerful, while the bird is able to fly; together they represent strength and vitality. When these encounter obstruction, it is like something complete and perfect suffering depletion or loss. Therefore, 虧 is used to mean imperfect, deficient, or lacking.