貧 乏(びんぼう)

びんぼう

na-adjective, noun

poor; poverty

1. poor; poverty-stricken; impoverished

The state of lacking money or material wealth. Can describe a person's financial condition or be used as a noun meaning poverty itself.

学生(がくせい)の頃(ころ)は貧乏(びんぼう)だった。

I was poor when I was a student.

貧乏(びんぼう)でも幸(しあわ)せに暮(く)らせる。

You can live happily even if you're poor.

子供(こども)の頃(ころ)は貧乏(びんぼう)な家庭(かてい)で育(そだ)ったが、今(いま)は成功(せいこう)している。

I grew up in a poor household as a child, but now I'm successful.

A common, somewhat blunt word for being poor or in poverty. It is direct and can feel self-deprecating when used about oneself, or rude if used carelessly about others. In casual speech, it is often used lightheartedly (e.g., 貧乏(びんぼう)旅行(りょこう), budget travel).

Common collocations

貧乏(びんぼう)暮(ぐ)らし — living in poverty
貧乏(びんぼう)旅行(りょこう) — budget travel; backpacking
貧乏(びんぼう)くじ — the short straw; a raw deal
貧乏(びんぼう)揺(ゆ)すり — jiggling one's leg (a nervous habit)
貧乏(びんぼう)人(にん) — poor person

Similar words

貧困(ひんこん) — poverty; more formal and used in social/political contexts
貧(まず)しい — poor, needy; a slightly softer, more literary i-adjective
金欠(きんけつ) — broke, short on cash; casual, temporary lack of money

Related Words

Synonym: 貧(まず)しい (poor (literary))

Antonym: 金持(かねも)ち (rich person)

Compare: 貧困(ひんこん) (poverty)

Compare: 金欠(きんけつ) (broke, short on cash)

Compare: お金持(かねも)ち (rich person, wealthy person)

general

Added 2026.3.26 10:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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