Refers to the state of being poor, lacking money or material resources. Often used in formal or written contexts.
We support people suffering from poverty.
insufficiency; shortage; deficiency
Archaic use for a general lack or shortage, not limited to money. Rare in modern Japanese outside of set phrases or classical texts.
He grew up in poverty.
In classical texts, 貧 can refer to a shortage of goods.
貧困 describes poverty as a social or economic condition, whereas 貧 is a plainer, more abstract noun for the same state.
poverty; destitution · shortage; lack
anemia; anaemia
poor; meager; feeble; shabby; insubstantial
poor people; the poor
wealth and poverty; rich and poor
poor-looking; shabby; impoverished appearance · scrawny; thin; meager; sparse
become poor; be poor
extreme poverty; destitution
poor person; the poor
The kanji 貧 combines 分 (divide) and 貝 (shell/money), suggesting the idea of dividing scant resources. The reading ひん is the on'yomi.
honorable poverty; poverty without greed
gradual decline; slowly worsening situation
poor hitting; weak batting
great poverty; destitution
poor relief; poverty relief
tiny breasts; flat chest
poor soil; poor country
poor home; impoverished household
destitution; misery; meagerness
petty; trivial; paltry; meager
tiny buttocks; flat butt
poor village; impoverished village
impoverished student; poor student · poor person
extreme poverty
hardships of poverty; serious poverty