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A2 adjective 7 min de lecture

贫穷

pinqiong2

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 贫穷 en 30 secondes

Explication 贫穷 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '贫穷' (pínqióng) means 'poor.' You might not use it often because '穷' (qióng) or '没钱' (méi qián) is easier to say. Think of '贫穷' as the word you see in a picture book about a very poor family. It is an adjective. You can say '他很贫穷' (He is very poor). At this stage, focus on the basic meaning: having no money and few things. You might see this word when learning about different countries or lifestyles in your first Chinese textbook. It's a 'heavy' word, so use it when you want to be serious.

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At the A2 level, you should start recognizing '贫穷' in simple readings about social life or history. You should know that it is more formal than '穷.' You can use it to describe a village, a country, or a person's life. For example, '那个国家的人民很贫穷' (The people of that country are very poor). You should also notice that '贫穷' is often used with '很' (hěn) or '非常' (fēicháng). It is important to distinguish it from words like '可怜' (kělián), which means 'pitiful.' Even if someone is '贫穷,' you use '可怜' to say you feel sorry for them.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '贫穷' in discussions about social issues. You might talk about the causes of poverty, such as lack of education or war. You can use phrases like '贫穷的状况' (the status of poverty) or '因为贫穷' (because of poverty). You should also be aware of its antonym '富有' (fùyǒu). At this level, you might start seeing '贫穷' used as a noun in phrases like '消除贫穷' (eliminate poverty). You should be able to write a short paragraph about how to help people who are living in '贫穷.'

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At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '贫穷' and '贫困.' '贫困' is often used in official contexts (like '贫困户' - impoverished households), while '贫穷' is a more general descriptive term. You should be able to follow news reports about '脱贫' (lifting people out of poverty). You can use '贫穷' to discuss abstract concepts, like '知识的贫穷' (poverty of knowledge). Your vocabulary should also include collocations like '极端贫穷' (extreme poverty) and '摆脱贫穷' (to shake off poverty). You should be able to debate the pros and cons of different poverty-reduction strategies using this word.

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At the C1 level, '贫穷' should be a word you use with precision. You should understand its historical roots and how it appears in classical-leaning modern literature. You should be able to distinguish it from '清贫' (honorable poverty) and '拮据' (temporarily short of cash). You might use '贫穷' to analyze the sociological impact of the wealth gap ('贫富差距'). At this level, you should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as '贫穷并非罪恶，但却是产生罪恶的温床' (Poverty is not a crime, but it is a breeding ground for crime). You should also be familiar with idioms related to poverty.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '贫穷.' You can use it in academic writing, high-level political analysis, or literary criticism. You understand the subtle shifts in the word's usage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries in China. You can discuss the philosophical implications of '贫穷' versus '匮乏' (scarcity). You can identify when an author uses '贫穷' to evoke a specific cultural memory or to critique a specific economic policy. Your use of the word is flawless, including its application in highly metaphorical or ironic contexts.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

贫穷 en 30 secondes

Formal adjective for 'poor' or 'impoverished'.
Used in serious, academic, or journalistic contexts.
Describes systemic or long-term economic lack.
Opposite of 富有 (wealthy) or 富裕 (affluent).

The term 贫穷 (pínqióng) is the standard formal adjective for 'poor' or 'impoverished' in Mandarin Chinese. While the single character 穷 (qióng) is frequently used in daily conversation to describe being 'broke' or lacking money in a casual sense, 贫穷 carries a more significant, often systemic weight. It describes a state of being where one lacks the necessary resources for a standard quality of life. In a linguistic sense, the character 贫 (pín) consists of 'divide' (分) over 'money/shell' (贝), symbolizing the depletion or division of wealth until little remains. The character 穷 (qióng) originally depicted a person in a cave, suggesting being at the end of one's rope or having no way out. Together, they form a powerful descriptor for poverty.

Socio-Economic Context: This word is the primary term used in news reports, government documents, and sociological studies when discussing global poverty, the poverty line, or impoverished regions. If you are reading a BBC Chinese article about wealth inequality, you will see 贫穷.

消除贫穷是全人类的共同目标。(Xiāochú pínqióng shì quán rénlèi de gòngtóng mùbiāo.)

Translation: Eliminating poverty is a common goal for all of humanity.

When using this word, it is important to distinguish between temporary financial difficulty and the state of poverty. 贫穷 is rarely used to describe a student who spent all their allowance on a video game; that would be 没钱 (méi qián). Instead, it describes a person's or a country's long-term economic status. It is an objective descriptor, though it carries a heavy emotional and social weight. In literature, it is often contrasted with 富有 (fùyǒu - wealthy) to highlight the disparities in human experience.

Abstract Usage: While primarily economic, it can describe a lack of something non-material, such as 精神贫穷 (jīngshén pínqióng - spiritual poverty) or 知识贫穷 (zhīshì pínqióng - lack of knowledge), though these are more poetic or metaphorical.

他虽然物质上很贫穷，但精神上很富有。

Translation: Although he is materially poor, he is spiritually wealthy.

In modern China, the government often uses the phrase 脱贫 (tuōpín), which means 'to lift oneself out of poverty.' Understanding 贫穷 is essential for understanding the narrative of modern Chinese development and social progress over the last forty years.

Using 贫穷 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an adjective. It can be used directly after a subject with a linking verb like 很 (hěn) or 非常 (fēicháng), or it can modify a noun to describe a state of being. Because it is a formal word, it often appears in complex sentences dealing with cause and effect, social conditions, or comparisons.

Direct Adjectival Use: The most common way to use it is to describe a person, family, or region. Example: 那个村庄曾经非常贫穷。 (That village used to be very poor.)

因为贫穷，他不得不辍学打工。

Translation: Because of poverty, he had to drop out of school to work.

When modifying a noun, it often uses the particle 的 (de). For instance, 贫穷的家庭 (pínqióng de jiātíng - a poor family) or 贫穷的国家 (pínqióng de guójiā - an impoverished country). It is rarely used as a verb itself; you wouldn't say 'to poverty someone.' Instead, you use verbs like 导致 (dǎozhì - lead to) or 陷入 (xiànrù - fall into) poverty.

Degree and Intensity: You can intensify it using adverbs like 极端 (jíduān - extreme). 极端贫穷 (Extreme poverty) is a standard term in international development discussions.

这个地区的贫穷状况正在逐渐改善。

Translation: The poverty situation in this area is gradually improving.

In sentences, 贫穷 often acts as the subject of a sentence to discuss its consequences. It is a 'heavy' word, used to evoke empathy or to state a harsh reality. Avoid using it lightly; if someone just forgot their wallet, saying they are 贫穷 would sound sarcastically dramatic or simply incorrect.

You will encounter 贫穷 in specific environments that lean toward the formal or the educational. It is not a word you usually hear in a bustling wet market or a casual dinner conversation among friends, where 穷 (qióng) or 没钱 (méi qián) are the kings of the lexicon. However, in the following contexts, it is ubiquitous.

News and Media: News broadcasts like CCTV's 'Xinwen Lianbo' frequently use 贫穷 when discussing rural development or international aid. You might hear: “我们要坚决打赢脱贫攻坚战” (We must resolutely win the battle against poverty).

纪录片向我们展示了偏远地区贫穷的生活现状。

Translation: The documentary showed us the current reality of poor lives in remote areas.

In literature and cinema, 贫穷 is used to set the stage for a character's struggle. Classic novels by authors like Lu Xun or modern works by Mo Yan use this word to describe the environment of the Chinese peasantry. It sets a tone of gravitas. If a character says, 'I grew up in 贫穷,' they are indicating a childhood of significant hardship, not just a few lean months.

Academic and Political Discourse: University lectures in economics, sociology, or political science rely on this term. Phrases like 贫穷差距 (poverty gap) or 贫穷循环 (cycle of poverty) are standard academic terms.

教育是打破贫穷循环的关键。

Translation: Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Finally, you will see it in non-profit and charity advertisements. 'Help children in 贫穷' is a common call to action. It serves to evoke a sense of responsibility and global citizenship.

While 贫穷 is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often trip up on its register and its collocation with other words. Because English uses 'poor' for both 'lacking money' and 'bad quality' (e.g., poor eyesight), learners often over-apply 贫穷.

Mistake 1: Confusing Quality with Wealth: In English, you can say 'This is a poor translation.' In Chinese, you cannot say '这是贫穷的翻译.' For poor quality, use 差 (chà) or 糟糕 (zāogāo). 贫穷 is strictly for socio-economic or resource lack.

错误：他的视力很贫穷。 (Wrong: His eyesight is poor.) 正确：他的视力很差。

Another common error is using 贫穷 in casual conversation where it sounds too 'heavy.' If you tell your friend “我很贫穷” because you can't afford a second beer, they might laugh or think you are being incredibly dramatic. Stick to 穷 (qióng) or 没钱 (méi qián) for personal, everyday situations.

Mistake 2: Redundant Adverbs: Because 贫穷 is already quite strong, avoid using it with weak or inappropriate adverbs. While 有点贫穷 (a bit poor) is grammatically possible, it sounds odd because 贫穷 usually implies a significant state.

错误：这个国家的贫穷很大。 (Wrong: This country's poverty is big.) 正确：这个国家的贫穷问题很严重。

Finally, remember that 贫穷 is an adjective that can function as a noun in certain contexts, but it does not function as a verb. You cannot 'poverty' someone. You must say 'make someone poor' (使人贫穷).

Mandarin has a rich vocabulary for describing economic states. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about a temporary lack of cash, a deep social issue, or a physical lack of resources. Here are the most common alternatives to 贫穷.

贫穷 vs. 穷 (qióng): 穷 is the colloquial, high-frequency version. It is used for 'I'm broke,' 'He's a poor guy,' etc. 贫穷 is the formal, written, and systemic version.
贫穷 vs. 贫困 (pínkùn): 贫困 is even more formal than 贫穷 and often refers to 'poverty and hardship' combined. It is the official term for 'poverty alleviation' (扶贫) and 'impoverished areas' (贫困地区).

政府正在努力帮助贫困家庭。

Note: 贫困 is the standard for 'impoverished families' in policy documents.

Other nuances include 拮据 (jiéjū), which means 'short of money' or 'in tight circumstances,' often used for middle-class people having a bad month. 清贫 (qīngpín) is a positive, almost poetic term meaning 'poor but honest' or 'living a simple, clean life of poverty,' often applied to scholars or monks.

Opposites: The direct opposite is 富有 (fùyǒu) or 富裕 (fùyù). 富有 is often used for abstract things (rich in spirit), while 富裕 is strictly economic (affluent society).

从贫穷走向富裕是一个漫长的过程。

Translation: Moving from poverty to affluence is a long process.

By understanding these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to the specific kind of 'poor' you mean, making your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient Chinese, '穷' didn't always mean 'poor' in terms of money; it often meant 'at the end of a path' or 'stuck.' This is why a dead-end street is called a '穷途'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /pɪn tʃjʊŋ/

US /pɪn tʃjʊŋ/

Both syllables are stressed equally, but 'qióng' often carries the weight of the meaning.

Rime avec

英雄 (yīngxióng) 天空 (tiānkōng) 成功 (chénggōng) 共同 (gòngtóng) 心中 (xīnzhōng) 内容 (nèiróng) 光荣 (guāngróng) 梦中 (mèngzhōng)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'pín' with a flat tone (1st tone) instead of rising.
Pronouncing 'qióng' as 'kong' or 'gong'.
Confusing the 'q' sound with a 'k' sound (it should be a 'ch' sound with the tongue behind the lower teeth).
Forgetting the nasal 'n' at the end of 'pín'.
Using the wrong tone for 'qióng' making it sound like '穷' (exhausted/limit).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Characters are slightly complex but common in news.

Écriture 4/5

Writing '穷' inside '穴' and '贫' with '分' and '贝' requires practice.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the rising tones.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with other 'pin' or 'qiong' sounds in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

钱穷多少家

Apprends ensuite

富有经济发展社会差距

Avancé

匮乏窘迫落后资源分配

Grammaire à connaître

Using '很' with adjectives

他很贫穷。

Adjective + 的 + Noun

贫穷的国家。

Cause and Effect with 因为

因为贫穷，他没上学。

Contrast with 虽然...但是

虽然贫穷，但是他很诚实。

Verb + 掉/出 (Resultative)

摆脱贫穷。

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Exemples par niveau

他不贫穷。

He is not poor.

Negative form using 不.

那个家很贫穷。

That home is very poor.

Simple Subject + Adverb + Adjective structure.

贫穷是不好的。

Poverty is not good.

Using the adjective as a subject.

他们很贫穷吗？

Are they very poor?

Question form with 吗.

我有很多贫穷的朋友。

I have many poor friends.

Using 的 to modify a noun.

虽然贫穷，但他很快乐。

Although poor, he is happy.

Using 虽然 (although).

这是一个贫穷的地方。

This is a poor place.

Noun phrase with 的.

他看起来很贫穷。

He looks very poor.

Using 看起来 (looks like).

这个村子非常贫穷。

This village is extremely poor.

Using 非常 for emphasis.

贫穷的人也需要教育。

Poor people also need education.

Subject is a noun phrase.

他出生在一个贫穷的家庭。

He was born in a poor family.

Prepositional phrase 'in a... family'.

我们应该帮助贫穷的人。

We should help poor people.

Using 应该 (should).

由于贫穷，他们买不起书。

Due to poverty, they cannot afford books.

Using 由于 (due to).

贫穷不是他的错。

Poverty is not his fault.

Abstract noun usage.

你觉得贫穷可怕吗？

Do you think poverty is scary?

Complex question structure.

她不怕贫穷。

She is not afraid of poverty.

Verb + Object (noun form).

贫穷限制了他们的发展。

Poverty limited their development.

贫穷 as the subject of an active verb.

许多人正努力摆脱贫穷。

Many people are working hard to escape poverty.

Using 摆脱 (break away from).

贫穷是一个全球性的问题。

Poverty is a global issue.

Defining poverty as a concept.

在这个贫穷的地区，水很珍贵。

In this poor region, water is precious.

Setting a context.

他通过努力改变了贫穷的命运。

He changed his destiny of poverty through hard work.

Noun phrase 'destiny of poverty'.

贫穷往往伴随着疾病。

Poverty is often accompanied by disease.

Using 伴随着 (accompanied by).

我们必须关注贫穷问题。

We must pay attention to the issue of poverty.

Using 关注 (pay attention to).

这种贫穷是暂时的。

This kind of poverty is temporary.

Using 暂时 (temporary).

政府致力于消除极端贫穷。

The government is committed to eliminating extreme poverty.

Formal verb 致力于.

贫穷的根源非常复杂。

The root causes of poverty are very complex.

Using 根源 (root cause).

即使在发达国家，也存在贫穷。

Even in developed countries, poverty exists.

Using 即使...也 (even if... also).

这种政策加剧了贫穷。

This policy exacerbated poverty.

Using 加剧 (exacerbate).

贫穷不仅是物质上的，也是精神上的。

Poverty is not only material but also spiritual.

Not only... but also structure.

社会福利可以缓解贫穷带来的压力。

Social welfare can alleviate the pressure brought by poverty.

Using 缓解 (alleviate).

他是贫穷研究方面的专家。

He is an expert in poverty research.

Compound noun phrase.

我们要反思贫穷产生的社会原因。

We need to reflect on the social reasons for poverty.

Using 反思 (reflect on).

贫穷与犯罪之间是否存在必然联系？

Is there an inevitable link between poverty and crime?

Philosophical/Sociological question.

文学作品常通过描写贫穷来揭示人性。

Literary works often reveal human nature by depicting poverty.

Using 描写 (depict) and 揭示 (reveal).

这种结构性的贫穷很难根除。

This structural poverty is difficult to eradicate.

Using 结构性 (structural) and 根除 (eradicate).

贫穷的阴影一直笼罩着这个家族。

The shadow of poverty has always hung over this family.

Metaphorical usage.

他的一生都在与贫穷作斗争。

He fought against poverty all his life.

Using 与...作斗争 (fight against).

贫穷剥夺了他们受教育的权利。

Poverty deprived them of the right to education.

Using 剥夺 (deprive).

我们不能对贫穷视而不见。

We cannot turn a blind eye to poverty.

Using idiom 视而不见.

贫穷的定义在不同时代有所不同。

The definition of poverty varies in different eras.

Academic comparison.

贫穷在某种程度上是社会资源分配不均的产物。

Poverty is, to some extent, a product of unequal distribution of social resources.

High-level sociological analysis.

艺术家用画笔勾勒出贫穷背后的尊严。

The artist used a brush to outline the dignity behind poverty.

Poetic and abstract phrasing.

在全球化背景下，贫穷呈现出新的特征。

In the context of globalization, poverty presents new characteristics.

Using 背景 (context) and 呈现 (present).

消除贫穷不仅是经济任务，更是道义责任。

Eliminating poverty is not just an economic task, but a moral responsibility.

Using 更是 (even more so).

贫穷的代际传递是一个亟待解决的课题。

The intergenerational transmission of poverty is a subject that urgently needs to be solved.

Using 代际传递 (intergenerational transmission).

历史证明，贫穷往往是动荡的温床。

History proves that poverty is often a breeding ground for turmoil.

Using 温床 (breeding ground).

他那篇关于贫穷的论文引起了广泛关注。

His thesis on poverty attracted widespread attention.

Academic context.

贫穷并不可怕，可怕的是失去改变贫穷的志气。

Poverty is not scary; what is scary is losing the ambition to change it.

Philosophical contrast.

Collocations courantes

消除贫穷

极端贫穷

贫穷线

摆脱贫穷

导致贫穷

贫穷差距

精神贫穷

深陷贫穷

改变贫穷

贫穷根源

Phrases Courantes

贫穷限制了我的想象力

— A popular internet slang phrase meaning 'I'm too poor to even imagine how rich people live.'

看到豪车的价格，我只能说：贫穷限制了我的想象力。

人穷志不穷

— Poor in wealth but not in ambition.

虽然他家境不好，但他坚持努力，真是人穷志不穷。

贫穷潦倒

— To be destitute and down-and-out.

他在晚年生活贫穷潦倒。

因病致贫

— Falling into poverty due to illness (common social phrase).

我们要防止农村人口因病致贫。

赤贫

— Abject poverty; having absolutely nothing.

那个地区的人民处于赤贫状态。

贫富不均

— Unequal distribution of wealth.

贫富不均是一个严峻的挑战。

济贫

— To help the poor.

他在当地从事各种济贫活动。

脱贫致富

— To shake off poverty and become prosperous.

全村人都在努力脱贫致富。

贫民窟

— Slum.

这座城市边缘有大片的贫民窟。

贫贱不能移

— Not to be shaken by poverty and low status (Confucian ideal).

他坚守原则，做到了贫贱不能移。

Souvent confondu avec

贫穷 vs 穷

Casual vs. Formal. Both mean poor.

贫穷 vs 贫困

Official/Policy vs. General. 贫困 is more 'official.'

贫穷 vs 可怜

Economic state vs. Emotional state (pitiful).

Expressions idiomatiques

"一贫如洗"

— As poor as if washed clean; utterly destitute.

一场大火后，他家变得一贫如洗。

Literary

"家徒四壁"

— Having only four walls in the house; very poor.

虽然他家徒四壁，但他依然热爱读书。

Literary

"穷困潦倒"

— Destitute and in a wretched state.

这位艺术家在穷困潦倒中去世了。

Formal

"捉襟见肘"

— To pull down the jacket to hide the raggedness only to expose the elbow; having too many problems to handle.

由于收入减少，他的生活变得捉襟见肘。

Formal

"贫病交加"

— Suffering from both poverty and illness.

老人在贫病交加中度过了余生。

Formal

"饥寒交迫"

— Suffering from hunger and cold.

在旧社会，许多人过着饥寒交迫的生活。

Formal

"身无分文"

— Without a single cent; penniless.

他现在身无分文，连饭都吃不上。

Neutral

"囊中羞涩"

— Embarrassed by an empty purse (a polite way to say one is short of money).

我想买那本书，可惜囊中羞涩。

Formal/Polite

"食不果腹"

— Not having enough food to fill the belly.

灾荒之年，百姓食不果腹。

Literary

"衣不蔽体"

— Not having enough clothes to cover the body.

那些难民衣不蔽体，处境凄惨。

Literary

Facile à confondre

贫穷 vs 贫瘠

Both start with 贫.

贫瘠 is only for land/soil. 贫穷 is for people/economy.

这片土地很贫瘠。

贫穷 vs 贫乏

Both start with 贫.

贫乏 means lacking in variety or content (e.g., knowledge, imagination).

他的想象力很贫乏。

贫穷 vs 困苦

Related to hardship.

困苦 emphasizes the suffering and difficulty of life, not just the money.

生活困苦。

贫穷 vs 低端

Related to low status.

低端 means low-end (products or services).

低端市场。

贫穷 vs 简陋

Describes poor living conditions.

简陋 means simple and crude (buildings/rooms).

房间很简陋。

Structures de phrases

Subj + 很 + 贫穷

他家很贫穷。

贫穷的 + Noun

贫穷的孩子。

因为 + 贫穷 + Result

因为贫穷，他去打工了。

消除 + 贫穷

我们要努力消除贫穷。

摆脱 + 贫穷的 + 命运

他想摆脱贫穷的命运。

贫穷是...的温床

贫穷是犯罪的温床。

虽然...但...

虽然贫穷，但他很努力。

不仅...而且...

他不仅物质贫穷，而且精神贫穷。

Famille de mots

Noms

贫民 (poor people)

贫困 (poverty)

贫下中农 (poor and lower-middle peasants - historical)

Verbes

脱贫 (to lift out of poverty)

扶贫 (to help the poor)

Adjectifs

贫苦 (poor and bitter)

贫乏 (deficient)

贫瘠 (barren - for land)

Apparenté

财富

富有

社会

资源

经济

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in written media, moderate in formal speech.

Erreurs courantes

这是贫穷的翻译。 → 这是很差的翻译。
贫穷 is for wealth, not quality.
我今天很贫穷。 → 我今天很穷 / 没钱。
Too formal for personal daily situations.
贫穷约翰！ → 可怜的约翰！
English 'poor' (pitiful) does not translate to 贫穷.
这块地很贫穷。 → 这块地很贫瘠。
Soil/land uses 贫瘠, not 贫穷.
他贫穷了那个国家。 → 他使那个国家变得贫穷。
贫穷 is an adjective, not a verb.

Astuces

Context Matters

Always check if you are in a formal or informal setting. Use 穷 for your friends and 贫穷 for your essays.

Learn the Antonym

Learning '富有' (fùyǒu) alongside '贫穷' helps you remember both better through contrast.

Radical Recognition

The 'shell' radical (贝) in 贫 always relates to value or money in Chinese characters.

Social Sensitivity

In China, discussing poverty is often linked to the national goal of 'common prosperity.'

Noun vs Adjective

When using it as 'poverty' (noun), it usually follows verbs like '消除' or '导致'.

Tone Accuracy

Both characters are 2nd tone. Make sure your voice goes up like you are asking a question.

News Scan

Look for this word in news headlines about rural development or international aid.

The Cave Story

Remember the cave radical in 穷 to visualize someone stuck without resources.

Modern Idioms

Know the 'imagination' meme to understand modern Chinese internet humor.

Avoid 'Poor John'

Never use 贫穷 for 'pitiful.' Use 可怜 for that.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Pin' (pín) as 'pinching' pennies, and 'Qiong' (qióng) as someone 'stuck' in a cave with nothing left. You pinch until you're stuck.

Association visuelle

Visualize the character 贫: a knife (part of 分) cutting through a shell (贝). Money being sliced away.

Word Web

金钱生活困难富有社会帮助国家历史

Défi

Try to use '贫穷' in three sentences today: one about a country, one about a character in a movie, and one about an abstract idea.

Origine du mot

The character 贫 (pín) dates back to ancient oracle bone script where the 'shell' (贝) radical represented money. The top part 分 means to divide. So, dividing money until it's gone. 穷 (qióng) originally meant 'reaching the end' or 'exhaustion,' showing a person in a cave (穴).

Sens originel : The original meaning was the state of having no wealth and having reached the limit of one's resources.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexte culturel

Be careful when describing individuals as 贫穷; it can be seen as looking down on them. Using '家境一般' (ordinary family background) is more polite.

English speakers often use 'poor' to mean 'bad quality' or 'pitiful,' but in Chinese, 贫穷 is strictly economic/resource-based.

Lu Xun's stories about the peasantry. The film 'To Live' (活着). The government slogan '精准扶贫' (Targeted Poverty Alleviation).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

News reports

消除贫穷
贫穷线
贫困地区
脱贫成果

Social studies

贫富差距
结构性贫穷
贫穷循环
社会福利

Literature

出身贫穷
改变命运
穷困潦倒
清贫生活

Charity/NGOs

济贫活动
资助贫穷学生
缓解贫穷
关注贫穷

Personal history

童年贫穷
家境贫寒
白手起家
奋斗史

Amorces de conversation

"你认为教育是消除贫穷的最好方法吗？"

"在你的国家，贫穷问题严重吗？"

"贫穷会如何影响一个人的性格？"

"你听过‘贫穷限制了我的想象力’这句话吗？"

"政府应该采取什么措施来减少贫穷？"

Sujets d'écriture

描写一个你见过的贫穷但快乐的人。

如果你有足够的钱，你会如何帮助贫穷的孩子？

讨论物质贫穷和精神贫穷哪一个更可怕。

反思一下，贫穷是如何在社会中代代相传的？

写一封信给未来的自己，谈谈你对消除全球贫穷的看法。

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is primarily an adjective (e.g., 'a poor country'), but it can function as a noun in formal contexts (e.g., 'eliminating poverty').

No. For bad quality or low scores, use '差' (chà).

It is an objective descriptor, but calling someone '贫穷' to their face can be rude. It is better used to describe situations or regions.

贫穷 is formal and often implies a systemic issue. 穷 is casual and can mean a temporary lack of money.

It is '贫穷线' (pínqióng xiàn) or '贫困线'.

No, that would sound too dramatic. Say '我没带钱' or '我现在没钱'.

It means 'to lift out of poverty' or 'to escape poverty.' It is a very common term in modern China.

It has a 'cave' radical (穴) on top and '力' (strength) inside '躬' (body/self) originally, but the simplified version is '穴' + '力'.

Yes, it is '贫富差距' (pín fù chājù).

Yes, '想象力的贫穷' is a common metaphorical phrase.

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