Translation guide
Describes something as very small, meager, or insignificant, often with a negative or dismissive tone. Focuses on expressing inadequacy of amount, value, or quality.
To describe a sum of money, amount of something, or number as disappointingly small or insufficient.
His salary is a paltry 200,000 yen.
We lost by a paltry margin.
Literary/formal adjective meaning 'trifling' or 'paltry'. Emphasizes insignificance, often used for sums or effects.
It's a paltry sum of money.
Idiomatic phrase literally 'sparrow's tears', meaning a very small amount. Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly.
The bonus was a paltry amount.
To dismiss something as trivial, worthless, or not worth considering.
Means 'trivial', 'insignificant', or 'not worth mentioning'. Used for things that lack importance or value.
That's a paltry issue.
Casual term meaning 'trivial', 'silly', or 'worthless'. Can convey dismissiveness similar to 'paltry' when referring to ideas or excuses.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Often used in the phrase 些細なこと (a trifling matter).
To describe something as looking cheap, shabby, or of low quality, often implying it's pitiful.
Means 'poor', 'meager', or 'shabby'. Can describe physical appearance, content, or quality as lacking substance.
His attire was paltry.
Means 'poor', 'crude', or 'shabby'. Often used in set phrases like お粗末様でした (said after serving something humble). Can be self-deprecating.
English 'paltry' often directly modifies a noun (e.g., 'a paltry sum'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use adverbs like 僅か (only) with numbers, or phrases like 取るに足らない (not worth taking) to describe insignificance. Using a single adjective equivalent can sound unnatural or overly literary.
僅か is common in everyday speech and writing, while 微々たる is more formal and literary. Use 僅か for most situations; 微々たる for emphasis in formal contexts.
His excuse is paltry.
You were late for such a paltry reason?
些細なことで喧嘩した。
We argued over a paltry thing.
It's a report with paltry content.
Means 'shabby', 'seedy', or 'poor-looking'. Emphasizes a pitiful appearance.
He lives in a paltry apartment.
Sorry for the paltry meal.