Keywords: pínkùn, pín kùn, 贫困, poverty in Chinese, how to say poor in Chinese, Chinese word for poverty, impoverished, destitute, China poverty alleviation, 扶贫, pínkùn meaning, difference between 穷 and 贫困
Summary: Discover the meaning of 贫困 (pínkùn), the formal Chinese term for “poverty” or “impoverished.” This page explores its deep cultural significance, especially in the context of China's national poverty alleviation efforts. Learn how 贫困 (pínkùn) differs from the more common word 穷 (qióng) and see how it's used in official reports, news, and discussions about social and economic issues.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): pín kùn
Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: The state of being severely poor; poverty, impoverishment, or destitution.
In a Nutshell:贫困 (pínkùn) is a serious and formal word. It doesn't just mean you're short on cash for a coffee; it describes a severe lack of basic resources and opportunities, often on a large scale (like a region or a population). Think of the word “poverty” as used by governments, NGOs, and news reports, not the word “poor” you'd use to describe your own tight budget.
Character Breakdown
贫 (pín): This character is a combination of 分 (fēn), meaning “to divide” or “separate,” and 贝 (bèi), the ancient character for “shell,” which was used as money. Together, they paint a picture of being “separated from money” or having one's wealth divided until little is left.
困 (kùn): This is a pictograph of a 木 (mù), or “tree,” trapped inside a 囗 (wéi), or “enclosure.” It vividly means “trapped,” “stuck,” “besieged,” or “in difficulty.”
The combination of 贫 (pín) and 困 (kùn) creates a powerful term. It means not just a lack of money, but being trapped by the difficulty that this lack of money creates. It implies a systemic, hard-to-escape situation.
Cultural Context and Significance
In modern China, 贫困 (pínkùn) is a term of immense national importance. For decades, the Chinese government has been engaged in one of the largest poverty alleviation (扶贫 fúpín) campaigns in human history. Lifting hundreds of millions of citizens out of 贫困 is a cornerstone of the Communist Party's legitimacy and a source of great national pride. You will see and hear this term constantly in state media, presidential speeches, and official documents.
Comparison to Western “Poverty”: While both “poverty” and 贫困 (pínkùn) refer to a lack of resources, the Chinese context places a much stronger emphasis on it as a national, collective challenge to be overcome through state-led development. In the West, poverty is often discussed in terms of social welfare systems, individual opportunity, and charity. In China, eradicating 贫困 is framed as a key step in national rejuvenation and achieving the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦 Zhōngguó Mèng), moving the country past its “century of humiliation” and toward a “moderately prosperous society” (小康社会 xiǎokāng shèhuì).
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality:贫困 (pínkùn) is a formal word used in writing and serious discussions. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation to describe one's own financial state.
Connotation: It has a heavy, serious, and negative connotation. It describes a dire situation that requires systemic solutions.
Common Contexts:
News and Government: Reporting on economic development, social programs, and aid. E.g., a “poverty-stricken county” (贫困县 pínkùn xiàn).
Academia: Sociological and economic studies on wealth disparity and development.
NGOs and Charity: Describing the communities or individuals they aim to help, e.g., “impoverished students” (贫困学生 pínkùn xuéshēng).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
中国政府致力于消除贫困。
Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ zhìlìyú xiāochú pínkùn.
English: The Chinese government is committed to eliminating poverty.
Analysis: Here, 贫困 is used as a noun (“poverty”) in a very formal, official context.
Example 2:
许多贫困家庭的孩子上不起大学。
Pinyin: Xǔduō pínkùn jiātíng de háizi shàng bu qǐ dàxué.
English: The children of many impoverished families cannot afford to go to university.
Analysis: Here, 贫困 is used as an adjective (“impoverished”) to describe families in a serious, systemic way.
Example 3:
他们的目标是帮助生活在贫困线以下的居民。
Pinyin: Tāmen de mùbiāo shì bāngzhù shēnghuó zài pínkùnxiàn yǐxià de jūmín.
English: Their goal is to help residents living below the poverty line.
Analysis: This example introduces the set phrase 贫困线 (pínkùnxiàn), “the poverty line,” a standard official term.
English: Poverty is not only an economic issue, but also a social issue.
Analysis: This sentence treats 贫困 as an abstract concept, suitable for academic or formal discussion.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The Biggest Mistake: Using 贫困 (pínkùn) instead of 穷 (qióng).
贫困 (pínkùn) refers to large-scale, systemic, and severe poverty. It is formal and impersonal.
穷 (qióng) is the general, everyday word for “poor.” It can be used for individuals, temporary situations, or in a casual, self-deprecating way.
Incorrect Usage:
`这个月我太贫困了，买不起新手机。` (This month I am too impoverished, I can't afford a new phone.)
Why it's wrong: This is a personal, temporary financial situation. The scale and formality of 贫困 are inappropriate.
Correct Usage:
`这个月我太穷了，买不起新手机。` (This month I'm too poor, I can't afford a new phone.)
Related Terms and Concepts
穷 (qióng) - The common, everyday word for “poor.” Use this for personal situations.
扶贫 (fúpín) - “To support the poor”; the official term for poverty alleviation programs and policies.
脱贫 (tuōpín) - “To escape poverty.” A common goal and verb associated with anti-poverty efforts.
贫富差距 (pínfù chājù) - “The gap between rich and poor,” a major topic of social discussion.
贫困线 (pínkùnxiàn) - “The poverty line,” the official income threshold for defining poverty.
小康 (xiǎokāng) - “Moderately prosperous.” The societal goal that comes after basic needs are met and poverty is eliminated. It is the ideological opposite of 贫困.
温饱 (wēnbǎo) - “Warm and full.” The state of having enough food and clothing; the first step out of poverty.
困难 (kùnnan) - “Difficulty; difficult.” A much more general term. 贫困 is a specific and severe type of 困难.