Translation guide
The state of being extremely poor, lacking basic necessities or resources. In Japanese, the most common and direct word is 貧困 (ひんこん), but other terms like 貧乏 (びんぼう) and 貧しさ (まずしさ) are used depending on context and nuance.
Referring to the condition of lacking money, resources, or basic needs, often in a societal or global context.
The standard term for poverty, especially in formal, academic, or policy contexts. It emphasizes the state of being poor and is often used in compound words like 貧困層 (the poor) or 貧困問題 (poverty issues).
貧困は世界中で深刻な問題です。
Poverty is a serious problem around the world.
政府は貧困削減に取り組んでいます。
The government is working on poverty reduction.
A more colloquial term for being poor, often used in everyday conversation. It can sound a bit blunt or self-deprecating. Commonly used in phrases like 貧乏くじ (short end of the stick) or 貧乏ゆすり (leg shaking).
うちは貧乏だから、贅沢はできない。
We're poor, so we can't afford luxuries.
貧乏な家に生まれたけど、幸せだった。
I was born into a poor family, but I was happy.
The noun form of the adjective 貧しい (まずしい), meaning 'poor'. It often conveys a sense of material lack but can also imply spiritual or cultural poverty. More literary or emotional than 貧困.
彼の作品には貧しさの中の美しさが描かれている。
His works depict beauty within poverty.
貧しさゆえに、教育を受けられない子供たちがいる。
There are children who cannot receive an education because of poverty.
Describing a deficiency or absence of something non-material, such as ideas, emotions, or quality.
Used metaphorically to mean 'poverty of something', such as 'poverty of imagination' or 'poverty of spirit'. This is a direct extension of the formal term 貧困.
その政策は発想の貧困を示している。
That policy shows a poverty of ideas.
心の貧困が現代社会の問題だ。
Poverty of the heart is a problem in modern society.
Means 'lack' or 'deficiency', often used in formal contexts. It can replace 'poverty' when emphasizing absence rather than the state of being poor.
Means 'shortage' or 'insufficiency'. Can be used in some contexts where 'poverty' implies not enough of something, but it's less direct.
Talking about being broke or having no money in a casual, personal context.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'I have no money' or 'I'm broke'. It's neutral and widely used in daily conversation.
今月はお金がないから、外食は無理だ。
I have no money this month, so eating out is impossible.
A colloquial, emphatic way to say 'completely broke' or 'flat broke'. It has a slightly humorous or exaggerated tone.
給料日前で財布がすっからかんだ。
It's just before payday and my wallet is completely empty.
As mentioned above, this can be used to describe one's own state of being poor in a self-deprecating way.
貧困 (ひんこん) is the formal, objective term for poverty, used in news, reports, and academic writing. 貧乏 (びんぼう) is more colloquial and personal, often used in everyday speech to describe one's own financial situation. 貧しさ (まずしさ) is the abstract noun from 貧しい, and it carries a more emotional or literary nuance, often implying not just material lack but also a quality of life.
貧困率が上昇している。
The poverty rate is rising.
子供の頃は貧乏だった。
I was poor as a child.
彼の心の貧しさに驚いた。
I was surprised at the poverty of his spirit.
Avoid directly translating 'poverty' as 貧乏 in formal contexts, as it can sound too casual or even rude. Use 貧困 for official or serious topics. Also, when using 'poverty' metaphorically, 貧困 is the safest choice, though 欠如 or 不足 may be more natural depending on the noun.
貧困は人権侵害です。
Poverty is a violation of human rights.
彼は一生貧困の中で暮らした。
He lived in poverty all his life.
彼の発想の貧困には驚かされた。
The poverty of his imagination was astonishing.
I was surprised at the poverty of his spirit.
Avoid directly translating 'poverty' as 貧乏 in formal contexts, as it can sound too casual or even rude. Use 貧困 for official or serious topics. Also, when using 'poverty' metaphorically, 貧困 is the safest choice, though 欠如 or 不足 may be more natural depending on the noun.
There is a poverty of evidence in his argument.
A poverty of creativity is the problem.
貧乏で、毎日もやしばかり食べてるよ。
I'm so poor I eat nothing but bean sprouts every day.