Translation guide
Expresses the state of having no money at all. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from casual to formal, often using metaphors like 'having an empty wallet' or 'being completely broke.'
To describe the state of being completely out of money in everyday conversation.
Literally 'not even one mon (old coin),' this is a common and slightly emphatic way to say penniless. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
He became penniless.
Similar to 一文無し, meaning 'without a single mon.' Slightly more formal or literary feel.
He set off on a journey penniless.
A colloquial, onomatopoeic expression meaning completely empty, often used for wallets or bank accounts. Very casual.
My wallet is completely empty.
Literally 'money shortage,' a common casual term for being broke or short of money. Often used by younger people.
I'm broke this month and in a pinch.
An old-fashioned, emphatic term for being utterly penniless. Often used in a self-deprecating or humorous way.
I'm always flat broke right before payday.
To emphasize a state of having absolutely no money, often in casual or dramatic speech.
Short for 一文無し, very common in casual conversation. Implies not having a single yen.
I'm broke right now.
A lively, colloquial expression meaning completely cleaned out (of money). Often used after gambling or spending too much.
Literally 'a cart on fire,' an idiomatic expression for being in dire financial straits. More about financial distress than simply having no cash.
To describe being penniless in a more formal, written, or literary context.
Literally 'red poverty,' meaning extreme poverty or destitution. Used in formal writing or serious discussions.
He grew up in extreme poverty.
A Buddhist term meaning 'possessing nothing,' often used in a philosophical or literary sense to describe having no material possessions.
一文無し (ichimonnashi) means having absolutely no money, while 金欠 (kinketsu) means being short of money or broke. 金欠 is more casual and commonly used among young people to describe a temporary lack of funds.
I can't ride the train because I have no money at all.
I can't go out because I'm broke.
The English phrase 'penniless' does not translate directly to Japanese using the word for 'penny' (ペニー). Instead, use expressions like 一文無し or 無一文, which refer to the old Japanese coin 'mon.'
He lost his job and became penniless.
After paying the rent, I'm completely broke.
Casual
I lost every penny playing pachinko.
Our household finances are in a desperate state.
An ascetic monk who lives possessing nothing.