expression
poor households have many children
Proverb noting that poorer families tend to have more children. Often used with a resigned or ironic tone. Compare with 貧乏人の子沢山.
See also: 貧乏人の子沢山
昔は貧乏子沢山と言われたものだ。
They used to say that poor households have many children.
貧乏子沢山で、彼の家はいつもにぎやかだった。
True to the saying 'poor households have many children,' his home was always lively.
A longer variant with the same meaning; 貧乏子沢山 is a more compact form.
A set phrase combining 貧乏 (poverty), 子 (child), and 沢山 (many). The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a traditional observation.