Translation guide
The state of being extremely poor, lacking basic necessities or resources. In Japanese, the most common and direct word is 貧困 (ひんこん), but other terms like 貧乏 (びんぼう) and 貧しさ (まずしさ) are used depending on context and nuance.
Referring to the condition of lacking money, resources, or basic needs, often in a societal or global context.
The standard term for poverty, especially in formal, academic, or policy contexts. It emphasizes the state of being poor and is often used in compound words like 貧困層 (the poor) or 貧困問題 (poverty issues).
Poverty is a serious problem around the world.
The government is working on poverty reduction.
A more colloquial term for being poor, often used in everyday conversation. It can sound a bit blunt or self-deprecating. Commonly used in phrases like 貧乏くじ (short end of the stick) or 貧乏ゆすり (leg shaking).
We're poor, so we can't afford luxuries.
I was born into a poor family, but I was happy.
The noun form of the adjective 貧しい (まずしい), meaning 'poor'. It often conveys a sense of material lack but can also imply spiritual or cultural poverty. More literary or emotional than 貧困.
His works depict beauty within poverty.
There are children who cannot receive an education because of poverty.
Describing a deficiency or absence of something non-material, such as ideas, emotions, or quality.
Used metaphorically to mean 'poverty of something', such as 'poverty of imagination' or 'poverty of spirit'. This is a direct extension of the formal term 貧困.
That policy shows a poverty of ideas.
Poverty of the heart is a problem in modern society.
Means 'lack' or 'deficiency', often used in formal contexts. It can replace 'poverty' when emphasizing absence rather than the state of being poor.
Means 'shortage' or 'insufficiency'. Can be used in some contexts where 'poverty' implies not enough of something, but it's less direct.
Talking about being broke or having no money in a casual, personal context.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'I have no money' or 'I'm broke'. It's neutral and widely used in daily conversation.
I have no money this month, so eating out is impossible.
A colloquial, emphatic way to say 'completely broke' or 'flat broke'. It has a slightly humorous or exaggerated tone.
As mentioned above, this can be used to describe one's own state of being poor in a self-deprecating way.
貧困 (ひんこん) is the formal, objective term for poverty, used in news, reports, and academic writing. 貧乏 (びんぼう) is more colloquial and personal, often used in everyday speech to describe one's own financial situation. 貧しさ (まずしさ) is the abstract noun from 貧しい, and it carries a more emotional or literary nuance, often implying not just material lack but also a quality of life.
The poverty rate is rising.
I was poor as a child.
I was surprised at the poverty of his spirit.
Avoid directly translating 'poverty' as 貧乏 in formal contexts, as it can sound too casual or even rude. Use 貧困 for official or serious topics. Also, when using 'poverty' metaphorically, 貧困 is the safest choice, though 欠如 or 不足 may be more natural depending on the noun.
Poverty is a violation of human rights.
He lived in poverty all his life.
The poverty of his imagination was astonishing.
There is a poverty of evidence in his argument.
A poverty of creativity is the problem.
It's just before payday and my wallet is completely empty.
貧乏で、毎日もやしばかり食べてるよ。
I'm so poor I eat nothing but bean sprouts every day.