Definition
漏洞 (lòudòng) has two connected senses: a physical leak (e.g., in a roof) and a figurative loophole or vulnerability (e.g., in a law or system). It differs from 窟窿 (kūlong), which also means a hole or loophole but more commonly refers to a financial deficit or a large cavity; and from 缺口 (quēkǒu), which denotes a gap or shortfall (like a budget gap). 漏洞 specifically suggests something that allows something undesirable to pass through or exploit.
noun
(physical) leakhole (e.g., in a roof or container)(figurative) loopholegap (e.g., in a law or system)
Examples
- 漏洞，。Wūdǐng yǒu yí gè lòu dòng, xiàyǔ shí huì lòu shuǐ.There is a leak in the roof; it leaks water when it rains.
- 漏洞，。Zhège fǎlǜ yǒu hěn duō lòu dòng, xūyào xiūgǎi.This law has many loopholes and needs to be revised.
- 漏洞，。Gōngsī de xìtǒng cúnzài ānquán lòu dòng, bìxū jǐnkuài xiūfù.The company's system has a security vulnerability that must be fixed as soon as possible.
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