also: じりひん
noun
gradual decline; slowly worsening situation
Describes a situation that is deteriorating little by little, especially financially. Often used in economic or personal finance contexts. The word combines the onomatopoeia じりじり (slowly but steadily) with 貧 (poverty).
このままではジリ貧になる一方だ。
At this rate, things will only get worse and worse.
ジリ貧の経営状態から抜け出せない。
We can't escape from this gradually worsening business situation.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'slowly but steadily' or 'little by little', often used for gradual progress or decline. ジリ貧 is a compound noun built from this adverb.
Means 'poverty' or 'poor' in a general sense. ジリ貧 specifically emphasizes the gradual worsening of a situation, not just a state of poverty.
Compound of the onomatopoeic adverb じりじり (slowly but steadily) and 貧 (poverty). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged in colloquial Japanese to describe a creeping financial decline.