poor
N2- Onyomi
- ヒン
- Kunyomi
- まず(しい)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 貧 down and you get 貝 (shell / money) — a shell, the money people once traded with. Picture a drawstring purse with coins spilling from it, put 貧 inside it, and let that scene stand for "poor" — poor. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は11画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 11 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
貧乏
binbou
poor
貧しい
mazushii
poor
貧乏な
binbouna
attributive: poor (before a noun)
貧乏です
binboudesu
polite: is poor
貧しいです
mazushiidesu
polite: is poor
貧しくないです
mazushikunaidesu
polite negative: is not poor
Example sentences (4)
学生のころは貧乏でした。
がくせい の ころ は びんぼう でした。
gakusei no koro wa binbou deshita.
I was poor back in my student days.
貧乏だったからこそ、お金の使い方を学びました。
びんぼう だった から こそ、おかね の つかいかた を まなびました。
binbou datta kara koso, okane no tsukaikata o manabimashita.
It was precisely because I was poor that I learned how to handle money.
祖父は貧しい家で育ちました。
そふ は まずしい いえ で そだちました。
sofu wa mazushii ie de sodachimashita.
My grandfather grew up in a poor family.
貧しい国の子どもたちを支援する活動に参加しています。
まずしい くに の こどもたち を しえん する かつどう に さんか しています。
mazushii kuni no kodomotachi o shien suru katsudou ni sanka shiteimasu.
I take part in activities that support children in poor countries.