pan4 kwan3貧困贫困

Jyutpingpan4 kwan3

Yalepàhn kwan

形容詞

Definition

Poor, impoverished, or living in poverty.

neutralpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the structural or systemic state of being poor rather than just lacking money in the moment. It carries a formal or journalistic tone, making it sound slightly detached or academic compared to the everyday word 窮. Use it when discussing social issues, economic status, or historical contexts rather than describing a friend who cannot afford a meal.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋zyu6住喺hai2貧pan4困kwan3地dei6區，keoi1生sang1活wut6好hou2艱gaan1難。

They live in an impoverished area and life is very difficult.

nei5你gin3見gwo3過go2嗰di1啲pan4貧kwan3困gaa1家ting4庭ge3嘅caam2慘fong3況mei6未aa4呀？

Have you seen the miserable situation of those poor families yet?

Common phrases

pan4貧kwan3困gaa1家ting4庭

impoverished family

pan4貧kwan3困dei6地keoi1區

impoverished region

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe a person who is simply broke or short on cash for the day, as it implies a long-term, systemic lack of resources. Using it in casual conversation to describe someone's personal finances can sound overly clinical or even insensitive.