hapern

Via German Low German (and probably already Middle Low German) from Middle Dutch or early modern Dutch haperen.

• IPA^(key): /ˈhaːpɐn/

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hapern (third-person singular simple present hapert, past tense haperte, past participle gehapert, auxiliary haben)

1. (impersonal) to be scarce, insufficient, stagnant, problematic

   Es hapert an Bewerbern mit Berufserfahrung.

   There is a lack of applicants with professional experience.

   Ich verstehe ganz gut Französisch, aber beim Sprechen hapert es.

   I can understand French quite well, but speaking it is problematic.