Translation guide
Describes having no money at all. Japanese expressions range from neutral descriptions to emphatic idioms.
State that someone has absolutely no money, often temporarily.
Literally 'not even one mon (old coin)'. A common, slightly emphatic way to say penniless.
彼は一文無しになった。
He became penniless.
Similar to 一文無し, meaning 'without a single penny'. Slightly more formal or written.
Plain, everyday expression: 'I have no money at all.' Natural in casual conversation.
今月はお金が全然ない。
I'm completely broke this month.
Emphasize a state of being out of money, often due to circumstances or bad luck.
Means 'went bankrupt'. Stronger than just being temporarily out of cash.
彼は事業に失敗して破産した。
He went bankrupt after his business failed.
Both mean 'penniless' and are interchangeable in many contexts. 一文無し is slightly more common in speech, while 無一文 appears more in writing or set phrases like 無一文になる (become penniless).
Do not translate 'penniless' directly as ペニーレス. Use the Japanese expressions above.
無一文で旅に出た。
He set off on a journey penniless.
Colloquial and emphatic, meaning 'completely empty' (of money). Often used humorously.
財布がすっからかんだ。
My wallet is completely empty.
General term for 'poor' or 'poverty'. Can describe a penniless state.
貧乏で食べるものもない。
I'm so poor I don't even have anything to eat.
Literally 'money shortage'. Casual, often used among young people.
今月は金欠で遊べない。
I'm broke this month so I can't go out.