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.
Means 'only', 'merely', or 'a paltry'. Often used with numbers to emphasize how small the amount is. Neutral to slightly negative.
彼の給料は僅か20万円だ。
His salary is a paltry 200,000 yen.
僅かな差で負けた。
We lost by a paltry margin.
Literary/formal adjective meaning 'trifling' or 'paltry'. Emphasizes insignificance, often used for sums or effects.
微々たる金額だ。
It's a paltry sum of money.
Idiomatic phrase literally 'sparrow's tears', meaning a very small amount. Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly.
ボーナスは雀の涙ほどだった。
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.
それは取るに足らない問題だ。
That's a paltry issue.
彼の言い訳は取るに足らない。
His excuse is paltry.
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.
彼の服装は貧弱だった。
His attire was paltry.
貧弱な内容のレポートだ。
It's a report with paltry content.
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.
そんなくだらない理由で遅刻したのか。
You were late for such a paltry reason?
We argued over a paltry thing.
Means 'shabby', 'seedy', or 'poor-looking'. Emphasizes a pitiful appearance.
みすぼらしいアパートに住んでいる。
He lives in a paltry apartment.
Sorry for the paltry meal.