Inklingo
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pobreza

/poh-BREH-sah/

poverty

A simple, empty, chipped ceramic bowl resting on a plain wooden table, symbolizing a lack of food or resources.

When resources are scarce, pobreza refers to a state of poverty or lack of money and goods.

pobreza(noun)

fA1

poverty

?

lack of money or goods

Also:

destitution

?

extreme poverty

📝 In Action

El gobierno implementó nuevos programas para reducir la pobreza.

B1

The government implemented new programs to reduce poverty.

Viven en la pobreza extrema, sin acceso a agua potable.

B2

They live in extreme poverty, without access to drinking water.

Mucha gente sufre de pobreza en el mundo.

A2

Many people suffer from poverty in the world.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • miseria (misery, destitution)
  • indigencia (indigence)

Antonyms

  • riqueza (wealth)
  • abundancia (abundance)

Common Collocations

  • combatir la pobreza – to fight poverty
  • índice de pobreza – poverty rate

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'pobreza' ends in -a, it is a feminine noun, so you always use feminine articles like 'la' or 'una' before it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

When talking about large-scale social issues, 'pobreza' is the standard, formal term, much like 'poverty' in English.

A small, weak, withered green plant struggling to grow alone in dry, cracked brown soil, illustrating meagerness or lack of substance.

Pobreza can also describe the meagerness or poor quality of something, such as a lackluster crop.

pobreza(noun)

fB2

meagerness

?

lack of quality or substance

Also:

scarcity

?

lack of resources (figurative)

,

deficiency

?

when describing knowledge or talent

📝 In Action

La pobreza de ideas en la reunión fue frustrante.

B2

The meagerness of ideas at the meeting was frustrating.

Criticaron la pobreza de su estilo literario.

C1

They criticized the deficiency (or meagerness) of his literary style.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • escasez (scarcity)
  • carencia (lack)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pobreza de espíritu – spiritual poverty (meekness, humility)

💡 Grammar Points

Abstract Use

This meaning is often paired with the preposition 'de' (of) to specify what is lacking, such as 'pobreza de vocabulario' (lack of vocabulary).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pobreza

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pobreza' in its figurative sense (meaning lack of quality, not money)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pobre(poor (adjective/noun)) - adjective
empobrecer(to impoverish (verb)) - verb
pobremente(poorly (adverb)) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'pobreza' different from 'miseria'?

Both mean 'poverty,' but 'miseria' is stronger. 'Pobreza' is the general state of being poor. 'Miseria' usually implies extreme poverty, destitution, and a state of suffering or misery.

What is the related adjective?

The adjective is 'pobre,' which means 'poor.' (e.g., 'una familia pobre' — a poor family).