Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 貧困 | hinkon | [çĩŋkõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 貧乏 | binbō | [bʲĩmbo̞ː] (narrow) |
The term 貧困 refers specifically to poverty and implies a state of economic hardship. In more technical or academic settings, the term 経済的困窮 can be used to convey economic destitution or financial hardship. If you wish to describe the condition of living in poverty, you can use the phrase 貧しい生活. The word 貧乏 is a commonly used term for poverty in informal conversations.
Which one should you use?
貧困 is a formal, academic or technical term used in sociological or economic contexts. In contrast, 貧乏 is a more common, everyday word used to describe a person's lack of money or a state of being poor.
How does it change in a sentence?
貧乏 can function as a na-adjective by adding な to describe a noun, such as 貧乏な生活 (a poor life). You can also create the noun 貧乏人 (a poor person) by adding 人 (person) to 貧乏.
How do you pronounce it?
hinkon
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the term 貧乏神 refers to a 'god of poverty' who is believed to cling to unlucky people and bring further financial misfortune.
- The word 貧乏 is often used in the phrase 貧乏くじ, which refers to drawing the short straw or being stuck with the worst task in a group.
- In some contexts, 貧乏 is used to describe a lack of something other than money, such as 想像力貧乏 to describe a 'poverty of imagination'.
Examples in context
- 人々は貧困に苦しんだ。People were ground down by poverty.This sentence shows how people are affected by the state of 貧困.Tatoeba #144063 by KK_kaku_, translation #270503 by AlanF_US
- トムは生涯貧乏だった。Tom has been in poverty all his life.This sentence uses 貧乏 to describe a lifelong state of being poor.Tatoeba #2733881 by tommy_san, translation #10091840 by krodo
- 多くの病気が貧困から生じる。Many diseases result from poverty.This sentence shows the relationship between diseases and the state of 貧困.Tatoeba #138304 by tommy__san, translation #274931 by CM
- 政府は貧困問題に取り組んでいます。The government is addressing the issue of poverty.
- 彼は長い間貧乏で苦労している。He has been poor and struggling for a long time.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing a news report in a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota世界にはまだ貧困の問題があるよね。Sekai ni wa mada hinkon no mondai ga aru yo ne.There are still issues of poverty in the world, isn't there?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に。解決するのは難しいことだと思う。Hontou ni. Kaiketsu suru no wa muzukashii koto da to omou.Really. I think solving it is a difficult thing.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんは、どうすればいいと思う？Himari-san wa, dou sureba ii to omou?Himari, what do you think should be done?
- 陽葵 Himariまずは、支援の手を広げるべきだと思うよ。Mazu wa, shien no te o hirogeru beki da to omou yo.I think we should start by expanding support first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poverty” translations and entries 貧困, 貧乏, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
