hombre pobre
/ombɾe pobɾe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "poor man" is translated into Spanish as hombre pobre.
The phrase describes a man who has very little money.
Which one should you use?
The placement of the adjective pobre changes the meaning. Using the standard order hombre pobre refers to a man's lack of money. However, placing the adjective before the noun as pobre hombre shifts the meaning to express pity or sympathy, such as saying "the poor [unfortunate] man".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, pobre hombre is commonly used. In Mexico, the slang term jodido is commonly employed as slang to describe both poor people and those facing challenging circumstances.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the standard phrase hombre pobre, the adjective pobre follows the noun hombre.
How do you pronounce it?
/ombɾe pobɾe/
Did you know?
- The root of the word hombre actually connects back to a Proto-Indo-European concept meaning 'earthling'.
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, calling someone a pobre diablo does not mean they are financially poor, but rather that they are a pathetic or insignificant person.
- The term pobre is used in the common idiomatic expression pobre de mí, which functions as a dramatic way to say 'woe is me'.
Examples in context
- Había una vez un hombre pobre y una mujer rica.There were once a poor man and a rich woman.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase hombre pobre in a narrative context.Tatoeba #1420891 by inmachan, translation #1421432 by Eldad
- Érase una vez un hombre pobre y una mujer rica.Once upon a time there was a poor man and a rich woman.Tatoeba #2163815 by marcelostockle, translation #2122306 by freddy1
- El hombre que vive al final de la calle es pobre, pero es muy generoso con lo que tiene.The man who lives at the end of the street is poor, but he is very generous with what he has.
- ¡Pobre hombre! Perdió su trabajo y ahora está pasando por momentos difíciles.Poor guy! He lost his job and now he's going through tough times.
- Aquel hombre pobre vive en la calle.That poor man lives on the street.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are walking through a city park.
- Sofía¿Viste a ese hombre pobre?Did you see that poor man?
- MateoSí, me dio mucha pena.Yes, I felt very sorry for him.
- SofíaÉl necesita nuestra ayuda.He needs our help.
- MateoTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hombre, pobre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
