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March 24, 2026
贫(貧)pín(pin2)
The character 贫 (pín) means 'poor' or 'impoverished,' describing a lack of wealth or resources. It can also imply inadequacy or deficiency in various contexts, such as skills or qualities. In some informal usages, it can describe someone who talks excessively or garrulously.
Strokes8Radical贝Frequency#16756DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, poverty is often associated with familial obligation and social responsibility, where the community may support those who are struggling. The concept of 贫 also appears in literature and folklore, emphasizing moral lessons about humility and resilience.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'pin' (贫 pronounced as pín) that is 'poor' in value. Just like a pin is often seen as a small, simple object, this character embodies the idea of something lacking richness or substance. Imagine a small pin trying to hold together lavish fabrics but failing due to its inadequacy.
Meanings of 贫
pín(pin2)
1poor
2inadequate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 贫
贫Simplified
貧Traditional
8Strokes
贝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#16756Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 贫
Podcast: 贫
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AI Study Notes for 贫
Quick Contrast
贫 (pín) vs 穷 (qióng) — use 贫 for a broader sense of poverty or deficiency, while 穷 specifically refers to a lack of money or wealth.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a 'pin' (贫 pronounced as pín) that is 'poor' in value. Just like a pin is often seen as a small, simple object, this character embodies the idea of something lacking richness or substance. Imagine a small pin trying to hold together lavish fabrics but failing due to its inadequacy.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it could change its meaning. 贫 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but when discussing poverty, it may carry a heavy emotional weight. Common phrases include '贫穷' (pínqióng – poverty) and '贫乏' (pínfá – deficient).
HSK Study Tips
While 贫 is not part of the official HSK levels, it is useful to connect with related vocabulary such as 富 (fù - rich) and 穷 (qióng - poor). Students should focus on recognizing it in both written and spoken contexts, especially in discussions about economic status.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, poverty is often associated with familial obligation and social responsibility, where the community may support those who are struggling. The concept of 贫 also appears in literature and folklore, emphasizing moral lessons about humility and resilience.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贫 with 富 (fù - rich) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我很贫' (wǒ hěn pín) to mean 'I am rich' is incorrect; it should be '我很富' (wǒ hěn fù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贫
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Grammar Patterns of 贫
贫 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
整体而言，当今的老年人依然相对____困。
As a group, today's old people are still relatively deprived.
Example Sentences for 贫 (10)
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1
整体而言，当今的老年人依然相对贫困。
zhěng tǐ ér yán， ， dāng jīn de lǎo nián rén yī rán xiāng duì pín。
As a group, today's old people are still relatively deprived.
2
城市的一整片贫民区被炸为了平地。
chéng shì de yī zhěng piàn pín mín qū bèi zhà wéi le píng dì。
An entire poor section of town was bombed into oblivion.
In Chinese culture, poverty is often associated with familial obligation and social responsibility, where the community may support those who are struggling. The concept of 贫 also appears in literature and folklore, emphasizing moral lessons about humility and resilience.
Word Family of 贫
Words Containing This Character20
贫困pínkùnpoverty貧困
贫穷pínqióngpoor貧窮
贫血anemia貧血
贫pínpoor貧
贫民窟slum housing貧民窟
贫民区slum area貧民區
扶贫assistance to the poor扶貧
贫下中农(category defined by the Communist Party) poor and lower-middle peasants: farmers who, before land reform, possessed little or no land (poor peasants) and those who were barely able to support themselves with their own land (lower-middle peasants)貧下中農
贫民poor people貧民
贫富pínfùpoor and rich貧富
一贫如洗penniless一貧如洗
贫农poor peasant貧農
贫乏pínfálacking貧乏
贫苦poor貧苦
贫瘠barren貧瘠
脱贫致富poverty alleviation脫貧致富
贫道poor Taoist貧道
脱贫to lift oneself out of poverty脫貧
贫寒poor貧寒
贫嘴talkative貧嘴
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 贫困 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 贫
Both 贫 (pín) and 穷 (qióng) mean 'poor,' but 贫 often emphasizes a lack of resources, while 穷 may refer to an ongoing state of being poor.
Yes, 贫 can describe deficiencies in other areas, such as skills or qualities, depending on the context.
Yes, 贫 is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but be aware of the emotional weight it may carry.
