Translation guide
The English word "poor" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean lacking money, low quality, unfortunate, or unskilled.
Describing a person, family, or country with little money or resources.
The most common and direct adjective for "poor" in the financial sense. Can describe people, families, or countries.
彼の家族は貧しい。
His family is poor.
貧しい国々への支援が必要だ。
Support for poor countries is necessary.
A slightly more colloquial and emphatic adjective for being poor. Often used in everyday speech.
うちは貧乏だから、外食はあまりしない。
We're poor, so we don't eat out much.
A very common casual phrase meaning "have no money." Not an adjective, but often used to express being poor in a straightforward way.
金がなくて、旅行に行けない。
I'm poor (have no money), so I can't go on a trip.
A formal noun meaning "poverty." Used in official, academic, or news contexts.
貧困問題に取り組む。
Tackle the issue of poverty.
Describing something of inferior quality, such as work, performance, or health.
The most versatile word for "bad" or "poor" in quality. Can be used for results, conditions, weather, etc.
Literally "quality is bad." Used when specifically referring to the poor quality of an object or service.
この店の商品は質が悪い。
The products at this store are of poor quality.
A verb meaning "to be inferior to." Often used in comparisons.
Expressing sympathy for someone in an unfortunate situation.
The most common way to say "poor" in the sense of "pitiable." Used to express sympathy.
かわいそうに、彼は財布をなくした。
Poor guy, he lost his wallet.
あのかわいそうな子犬を助けよう。
Let's help that poor puppy.
A slightly more formal or empathetic expression for "poor" or "pitiful." Often used when feeling sorry for someone's misfortune.
気の毒に、彼は雨に濡れてしまった。
Poor him, he got soaked in the rain.
A literary or dramatic word for "pitiful" or "miserable." Can sound old-fashioned or overly emotional.
哀れな少女は泣き続けた。
The poor girl kept crying.
Describing someone who is not good at something.
The standard word for "poor" at a skill. Used with the particle が to indicate what one is poor at.
Means "not good at" or "weak in." Often implies a personal dislike or lack of confidence in addition to poor ability.
私は数学が苦手です。
I'm poor at math.
A humble or formal word for "poor" or "clumsy," often used to describe one's own skills or speech.
Describing a shortage or insufficiency of something.
Means "scarce" or "meager." Used for resources, knowledge, experience, etc.
この地域は水が乏しい。
This region is poor in water.
彼は経験が乏しい。
He has poor experience.
A verb phrase meaning "to be lacking" or "insufficient." More neutral and common in everyday contexts.
睡眠が不足している。
I'm poor in sleep (lacking sleep).
貧しい (mazushii) only refers to financial poverty. Using it for "poor English" or "poor quality" is incorrect. Use 下手 (heta) or 悪い (warui) instead.
下手 (heta) is a straightforward statement of poor ability. 苦手 (nigate) adds a nuance of personal discomfort or dislike. For example, 私は料理が下手だ (I am poor at cooking) vs. 私は料理が苦手だ (I am not good at cooking and don't really like it).
彼は貧しい家庭で育った。
He grew up in a poor family.
その映画の評価は悪かった。
The movie had poor reviews.
かわいそうに！彼女は仕事を失った。
Poor thing! She lost her job.
This product is poorer than the competitors'.
拙い説明で申し訳ありません。
I apologize for my poor explanation.