Meaning
贫穷 describes a state of lacking material wealth or resources, referring to both individuals and communities living in poverty. It's a more formal term than 穷 alone and often appears in written Chinese, news reports, and discussions about economic or social issues.
Usage
This is a relatively formal term commonly used in written language, news media, and official contexts when discussing poverty, economic inequality, or social conditions. In casual conversation, people often use the simpler 穷 instead. 贫穷 can describe people, families, regions, or countries.
Examples
- 01这个国家正在努力帮助贫穷地区的人们改善生活条件。.This country is working hard to help people in impoverished regions improve their living conditions.
- 02虽然他出身贫穷，但通过努力学习改变了自己的命运。, .Although he came from a poor background, he changed his destiny through hard work and study.
Characters
Common collocations
- 贫穷地区impoverished region
- 贫穷家庭poor family
- 摆脱贫穷to escape poverty
- 贫穷落后poor and backward
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters 贫 and 穷 individually mean 'poor,' and combining them creates an emphatic compound that strengthens the meaning. This is a common pattern in Chinese where near-synonyms are paired for emphasis and formality.