Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'become poor' depends on whether you mean a gradual decline into poverty, a sudden loss of wealth, or a state of being poor. The most common and natural way is to use the adjective 貧乏 (びんぼう) with the verb になる (to become). Other expressions carry nuances of falling into hardship, losing everything, or being reduced to poverty.
Express that someone becomes poor or falls into a state of poverty, often gradually.
He became poor after his business failed.
If you keep wasting money, you'll become poor.
Uses the adjective 貧しい (まずしい, poor) with なる. Slightly more literary or formal than 貧乏になる, but still common. Often used in written contexts or to describe societal poverty.
The country became poor because of the war.
Means 'to fall', 'to go down in the world', or 'to be ruined'. Implies a decline from a higher social or economic status. Often used for families or businesses.
That distinguished family has also fallen into poverty.
Express a sudden loss of money or assets, becoming penniless or bankrupt.
Literally 'become without a single mon (old currency unit)'. Means to become penniless or broke. Vivid and common in speech.
I became penniless from gambling.
Means 'to go bankrupt'. Used for both individuals and companies. More formal and legalistic than 一文無しになる.
The company went bankrupt.
Colloquial and emphatic way to say 'become completely broke' or 'cleaned out'. Often used when someone loses all their money quickly.
I got cleaned out playing pachinko.
Emphasize the hardship or suffering that comes with poverty.
Means 'to be in dire poverty' or 'to be destitute'. Focuses on the suffering and lack of necessities. Often used in news or formal writing.
I'm unemployed and living in poverty.
Literally 'to be troubled in daily life'. A softer, more everyday way to say one is struggling financially.
貧乏になる is more colloquial and commonly used in daily conversation. 貧しくなる sounds slightly more literary and is often used to describe abstract or societal poverty. Both are correct, but 貧乏になる is the safer choice for most situations.
Do not use 〜になる with nouns like 貧困 (ひんこん, poverty) directly as 貧困になる; it is not idiomatic. Use 貧困に陥る (ひんこんにおちいる, fall into poverty) instead if you want to use 貧困.
My salary was cut and I'm struggling to make ends meet.