Inklingo

How to Say "the poor" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pobre

/PO-breh//ˈpo.βɾe/

NounB1General
Use 'los pobres' to refer generally to people who lack financial resources, often in a direct or everyday context.
A humble adult figure wearing simple, patched clothing, sitting on a wooden bench and holding a small, empty tin bowl.

Examples

Le dio una moneda a un pobre en la calle.

He gave a coin to a poor person on the street.

El gobierno tiene programas para ayudar a los pobres.

The government has programs to help the poor.

humilde

oo-MEEL-deh/uˈmil.de/

NounC1General
Use 'los humildes' when referring to a group of people who are poor but also possess qualities like modesty, dignity, or resilience in their circumstances.
An elderly woman in plain clothes quietly tending to a small patch of colorful flowers in a simple backyard.

Examples

El gobierno prometió ayudar a los más humildes de la sociedad.

The government promised to help the most humble/poor people in society.

Es un honor recibir a un humilde como tú.

It is an honor to receive a humble person like you.

Adjective as Noun

Like many adjectives in Spanish, 'humilde' can become a noun (a person or thing) simply by putting an article (like 'el' or 'la') in front of it.

Pobre vs. Humilde

Learners often confuse 'pobre' and 'humilde' because both can mean 'poor.' Remember that 'pobre' is the most direct and common term for financial poverty. 'Humilde' adds a layer of character, implying dignity or modesty despite hardship, and is generally used for groups rather than individuals.

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