Meaning
贫困 describes a state of poverty or severe economic hardship. It refers to lacking adequate financial resources to meet basic living needs. This word is commonly used in formal contexts, news reports, and discussions about social issues and economic development.
Usage
贫困 is more formal than 穷 (qióng). It frequently appears in official discourse about poverty alleviation (扶贫, fú pín) and development economics. Native speakers use it to describe regions, populations, or families experiencing poverty, rather than casual everyday situations where someone is just short on money.
Examples
- 01政府正在努力帮助贫困地区的人民脱贫。.The government is working hard to help people in impoverished regions escape poverty.
- 02这个家庭因为疾病陷入了贫困。.This family fell into poverty due to illness.
Characters
Common collocations
- 贫困地区impoverished region
- 贫困人口impoverished population
- 贫困线poverty line
- 摆脱贫困to escape poverty
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the concept of hardship: 贫 originally depicted a person with divided/scattered resources, while 困 shows a tree enclosed, unable to grow freely—metaphorically trapped in difficulty.