Meanings of 贫穷
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 贫穷
Podcast: 贫穷
Podcast: 贫穷
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 贫穷
贫困 (pín kùn) refers to a state of poverty that may imply a lack of resources, but often carries a more formal or systemic connotation than 贫穷, which is more general and can describe personal circumstances.
Learners often confuse 贫穷 with similar words like '穷' (qióng) which can mean 'poor' in a more colloquial sense. 贫穷 is more formal and suitable for written contexts. Watch out for tone mispronunciations; using the wrong tones can lead to misunderstandings.
Though 贫穷 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to the theme of society and economy found in HSK level 4. Focus on using it in sentences discussing financial states or social issues to reinforce vocabulary connections.
Learners often confuse 贫穷 with 富裕 (fù yù), which means wealthy. For example, saying '他的生活是贫穷' (Tā de shēnghuó shì pín qióng) is incorrect; it should be '他的生活很贫穷' (Tā de shēnghuó hěn pín qióng) to correctly express 'His life is very poor.'
Pronunciation of 贫穷
Drill the tone of 贫穷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say poor in Chinese
“poor” in Chinese is贫穷
贫穷 (pín qióng) refers to a state of being poor or impoverished, often indicating a lack of financial resources or basic necessities. It can describe both individuals and communities suffering from economic hardship, and is commonly used in discussions about social issues and welfare.
When to use 贫穷
Learners often confuse 贫穷 with similar words like '穷' (qióng) which can mean 'poor' in a more colloquial sense. 贫穷 is more formal and suitable for written contexts. Watch out for tone mispronunciations; using the wrong tones can lead to misunderstandings.
贫穷 or something close to it
贫困 (pín kùn) refers to a state of poverty that may imply a lack of resources, but often carries a more formal or systemic connotation than 贫穷, which is more general and can describe personal circumstances.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贫穷 with 富裕 (fù yù), which means wealthy. For example, saying '他的生活是贫穷' (Tā de shēnghuó shì pín qióng) is incorrect; it should be '他的生活很贫穷' (Tā de shēnghuó hěn pín qióng) to correctly express 'His life is very poor.'
Write 贫穷
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 贫穷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about 贫穷
贫穷 is more formal and often used in writing, while 穷 is more colloquial and used in spoken language.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 贫穷?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.