also: すっかんぴん
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
Colloquial and slightly old-fashioned term for being completely without money. Often used in a self-deprecating or humorous way.
I'm always broke right before payday.
I lost my wallet and ended up penniless.
無一文 is a straightforward, neutral expression for being completely broke, whereas すかんぴん is more informal and often used in casual speech.
Standard kana spelling; the most common written form.
Ateji spelling; rarely used in modern writing. The word is usually written in kana.
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in informal contexts.
The exact origin is uncertain. The kanji 素寒貧 are ateji, chosen for their sounds rather than their meanings. The word may have arisen as a colloquial expression in the Edo period.