Japanese Conversation · Level 33
90 words
Japanese word
貧しい
Pronunciation
Romajimazushii
Meaning
- i-adjectivepoor
Example
彼は貧しい家庭で育ちました。kare wa mazu shi i ka tei de soda chi ma shi ta
He grew up in a poor family.
More examples
その町は今も貧しいです。so no machi wa ima mo mazu shi i de su
That town is still poor.
その国は貧しい村にも学校を建てました。so no kuni wa mazu shi i mura ni mo gak kō o ta te ma shi ta
That country built schools even in poor villages.
Core concept
Describes having too few material resources to live with ordinary comfort.
Common phrases
貧しい家庭mazu shi i ka tei
poor family
貧しい人々mazu shi i hito bito
poor people
貧しい国mazu shi i kuni
poor country
Similar words
乏しいtoboshii: Being in short supply for a particular purpose or need.
少ないsukunai: Having a small amount or number of something.
Definition in Japanese
生活に必要な金銭や物が不足していて、暮らしに余裕がないさま。sei katsu ni hitsu yō na kin sen ya mono ga fu soku shi te i te ku ra shi ni yo yū ga na i sa ma
Word origin
The native Japanese adjective 貧しい (mazushii) developed from the older form 貧し (mazushi), meaning "poor" or "lacking."
Usage tips
- In English, poor can describe low quality as well as limited wealth, while 貧しい (mazushii) generally focuses on a lack of material means.