Translation guide
A very small or inadequate amount of money, often for work or as an allowance.
Expressing that someone is paid an extremely small amount for their work.
Literally 'sparrow's tears', a common idiom for a tiny amount of money or other resource.
彼の給料は雀の涙ほどだ。
His salary is a pittance.
A straightforward way to say 'meager salary'.
彼女はわずかな給料で働いている。
She works for a pittance.
A common term for 'low monthly salary', often used in casual conversation.
安月給で家族を養うのは大変だ。
It's tough to support a family on a pittance.
Literally 'two bundles, three mon', meaning dirt cheap or a pittance. Often used for selling something for next to nothing.
彼の作品は二束三文で売られた。
His work was sold for a pittance.
Describing any tiny sum of money, not necessarily wages.
A simple, neutral way to say 'a small amount of money'.
彼はわずかなお金で生活している。
He lives on a pittance.
A slightly derogatory term for a trifling sum of money, implying it's insultingly small.
そんなはした金では暮らせない。
I can't live on such a pittance.
Do not translate 'pittance' directly as 僅かな額 (wazukana gaku) in most contexts; it sounds unnatural. Use idiomatic expressions like 雀の涙 or わずかなお金 instead.