Dictionary
English - Chinese

Poor

pʊr
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

贫穷的, 差的, 可怜的, 缺乏的

Poor meanings in Chinese

贫穷的

Example:
Many families in the region are poor and struggle to make ends meet.
该地区许多家庭都很贫穷,难以维持生计。
He grew up in a poor neighborhood and faced many challenges.
他在一个贫穷的社区长大,面临许多挑战。
Usage: formalContext: Describing socioeconomic status or conditions.
Note: Often used to refer to a lack of financial resources.

差的

Example:
The service at that restaurant was poor and disappointing.
那家餐厅的服务很差,让人失望。
He gave a poor performance during the play.
他在剧中的表现很差。
Usage: informalContext: Evaluating quality in various situations.
Note: Can be used to describe anything that is substandard or lacking in quality.

可怜的

Example:
She felt poor in spirit after the loss of her pet.
在失去宠物后,她感到心灵上很可怜。
He gave a poor sigh of defeat after losing the game.
在输掉比赛后,他无奈地叹了口气。
Usage: informalContext: Expressing pity or sympathy.
Note: Used to convey a sense of compassion or sadness towards someone’s situation.

缺乏的

Example:
The project suffered from poor planning.
这个项目因为计划不足而受到影响。
His poor understanding of the topic led to mistakes.
他对这个主题的理解不足导致了错误。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Describing a deficiency in skills or knowledge.
Note: Often used in professional or academic contexts.

Poor's synonyms

Impoverished

Impoverished refers to extreme poverty or deprivation, suggesting a lack of basic necessities.
Example: The impoverished family struggled to make ends meet.
Note: Impoverished emphasizes severe poverty compared to the general term 'poor.'

Needy

Needy describes someone who lacks the necessities of life, such as food, shelter, or clothing.
Example: The charity organization helps support needy children in the community.
Note: Needy often implies a sense of urgency or immediate need compared to the more general term 'poor.'

Deprived

Deprived suggests a lack or denial of essential resources or opportunities.
Example: Children from deprived backgrounds may face challenges in accessing education.
Note: Deprived conveys a sense of being unfairly or systematically denied compared to the broader term 'poor.'

Indigent

Indigent refers to extreme poverty and destitution, often associated with a lack of means to support oneself.
Example: The indigent population in the city struggles with homelessness and hunger.
Note: Indigent conveys a more formal or legalistic tone compared to the more colloquial term 'poor.'

Poor expressions, common phrases

Beggars can't be choosers

This phrase means that when you are in a difficult or desperate situation, you should be grateful for whatever help or opportunity you receive, even if it's not exactly what you want.
Example: I know the job isn't ideal, but beggars can't be choosers.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the idea of limited options or resources available to someone in need.

Living from hand to mouth

This phrase describes a situation where someone has just enough money or resources to survive, without being able to save or plan for the future.
Example: Since losing his job, he's been living from hand to mouth.
Note: It conveys the idea of barely managing to meet basic needs, without any financial security or stability.

Down and out

This phrase describes someone who is in a very difficult or desperate situation, especially due to poverty or lack of resources.
Example: After losing everything in the financial crisis, he was completely down and out.
Note: It emphasizes a sense of hopelessness or extreme hardship beyond just being poor.

Dirt poor

This phrase is used to describe extreme poverty, indicating that someone is extremely poor and has very few material possessions.
Example: They grew up in a small village, dirt poor and struggling to make ends meet.
Note: It adds a vivid and colloquial emphasis on the dire financial situation of the person.

On the breadline

This phrase refers to living in poverty or near the point of starvation, where a person's income is just enough to cover basic necessities like food.
Example: Since losing her job, she's been living on the breadline, barely able to afford food.
Note: It specifically highlights the struggle to afford even the most essential items like food, emphasizing the precarious financial situation.

Poor as a church mouse

This phrase humorously emphasizes extreme poverty by comparing someone's financial situation to that of a church mouse, which traditionally has very little to live on.
Example: After the fire destroyed their home, they were left as poor as church mice.
Note: It uses a vivid and imaginative comparison to portray the depth of poverty in a lighthearted manner.

Hand to mouth

This phrase describes a situation where someone's income is just enough to cover daily expenses and there is no surplus for savings or emergencies.
Example: Without a steady job, they were living hand to mouth, struggling to pay bills each month.
Note: It focuses on the immediate struggle to meet basic needs without any financial buffer or stability.

Poor everyday (slang) expressions

Strapped

To be financially tight or in a difficult situation where there's a lack of money.
Example: I can't afford it right now, I'm a bit strapped.
Note:

Skint

To have no money; to be broke.
Example: I'm completely skint until payday.
Note:

Penniless

Completely lacking money; having no money at all.
Example: After losing his job, he found himself penniless.
Note:

Hard up

Having little money; financially struggling.
Example: I'm a bit hard up this month, so I can't go out much.
Note:

Flat broke

To have absolutely no money; completely broke.
Example: I gambled all my money away and now I'm flat broke.
Note:

Destitute

Completely lacking resources or means of livelihood; extremely poor.
Example: The war left many families destitute and homeless.
Note:

Down on one's luck

Experiencing a period of misfortune or bad luck, especially in terms of financial matters.
Example: He's been down on his luck ever since he lost his job.
Note:

Poor - Examples

Poor as a church mouse.
穷得像教堂里的老鼠。
The quality of the product is poor.
产品的质量很差。
The team's performance was poor.
团队的表现很差。

Poor grammar

Poor - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: poor
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): poorer
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): poorest
Adjective (Adjective): poor
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): poor
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): poor
Syllables, Separation and Stress
Poor Contains 1 syllables: poor
Phonetic transcription: ˈpu̇r
poor , ˈpu̇r (The red syllable is stressed)

Poor - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
Poor: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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