Translation guide
Describes someone who lacks money or resources. Japanese has several words for 'poor person,' ranging from neutral to literary, and often uses descriptive phrases instead of a single noun.
To refer to a person who is poor in a straightforward, non-judgmental way.
A common, neutral term for a poor person. Can be used in everyday conversation.
彼は貧乏人だが、幸せそうだ。
He is a poor person, but he seems happy.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'poor person.' Slightly more formal and empathetic than 貧乏人.
貧しい人たちを助けるボランティアをしています。
I volunteer to help poor people.
A formal or literary term for a poor person. Often used in written contexts or religious texts.
貧者は常にあなたがたと共にいる。
The poor you will always have with you.
To refer to a poor person in a casual, sometimes dismissive way.
Technically means 'poverty,' but can be used as a noun to refer to a poor person in casual speech, like 'pauper.'
あいつはただの貧乏だよ。
That guy is just a pauper.
Refers to poor people collectively, often with a nuance of 'the poor' as a social class. Can sound slightly derogatory.
To describe someone who is extremely poor, often homeless or starving.
A formal term for a person in extreme poverty.
極貧者への支援が必要だ。
Support for the extremely poor is necessary.
A literary term for destitute people. Rarely used in modern conversation.
窮民を救う政策。
A policy to save the destitute.
To refer to a poor person in a historical Japanese context, such as a peasant or beggar.
Means 'beggar.' Historically common, but now considered derogatory if used carelessly.
Can be offensive in modern contexts. Use with care.
昔、乞食が寺の門前に集まった。
Long ago, beggars gathered at the temple gate.
A poor farmer. Used in historical or economic discussions.
In Japanese, directly calling someone a 'poor person' (貧乏人) can sound blunt or rude. It's often more natural to describe their situation with phrases like お金に困っている人 (a person struggling with money) or 経済的に厳しい人 (a person in financial difficulty).
彼はお金に困っている。
He is struggling financially.
Instead of saying 'poor person,' you can often use 貧しい (poor) as an adjective before a noun, like 貧しい家庭 (poor family) or 貧しい子供 (poor child). This is more common and less direct than using a noun for the person.
この地域には貧しい人が多い。
There are many poor people in this area.
貧民街に住んでいる。
He lives in a slum.
The life of poor farmers in the Edo period was harsh.