窮きゅうす

godan verb (-su), intransitive verb

be hard pressed; be at a loss

Describes a situation where one is cornered, stuck, or unable to find a way out. Often used with に to indicate the cause.

See also: 窮する

• 返へん答とうに窮きゅうす。

  I am at a loss for an answer.

• 生せい活かつ費ひに窮きゅうして、彼かれは友ゆう人じんに助たすけを求もとめた。

  Hard pressed for living expenses, he asked his friends for help.

godan verb (-su), intransitive verb

become poor; be reduced to poverty

Literary or old-fashioned way to say falling into poverty. Modern Japanese more often uses 貧乏になる or 困窮する.

• 事じ業ぎょうに失しっ敗ぱいして窮きゅうす。

  He failed in business and was reduced to poverty.