乏
乏·destitution, scarce, limited
- On-yomi
- ぼう
- Kun-yomi
- とぼ.しいとも.しい
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 乏しい | とぼしい | scarce, meagre |
| 貧乏 | びんぼう | poverty, being poor |
| 欠乏 | けつぼう | deficiency, shortage |
| 窮乏 | きゅうぼう | destitution |
Example sentences
この国は資源が乏しい。
このくにはしげんがとぼしい。
This country is poor in resources.
昔は貧乏だったと父が話してくれた。
むかしはびんぼうだったとちちがはなしてくれた。
My father told me they were poor in the old days.
ビタミンが欠乏すると体調を崩す。
ビタミンがけつぼうするとたいちょうをくずす。
If you lack vitamins your health suffers.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 乏之之 (the classical possessive の) is 乏 without the stroke struck across the top.
Common mistakes
- 貧乏 is びんぼう — a very common word with an irregular-looking reading.
- 乏しい describes resources, funds or experience, not a person directly.
Memory aid
Picture it
A short stroke laid across the top of 之, the road: the road is barred, supplies do not get through, and things run short.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 乏 mean?