cơ bần
Definition
- Adjective:
- Indigent; very poor: Describes a state of extreme poverty and material deprivation, lacking basic necessities.
- Needy; destitute: Refers to being in great need, often implying a lack of the fundamental resources required for subsistence.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Số phận của những người cơ bần thật đáng thương. (The fate of the indigent is truly pitiable.)
- Hội từ thiện giúp đỡ các gia đình cơ bần. (The charity helps destitute families.)
Advanced Usage
- This is a formal, literary term often found in classical literature, historical texts, or formal charitable contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday modern conversation, where words like "nghèo khó" or "túng thiếu" are more frequent.
Variants and Related Words
- Bần cùng (adj): utterly impoverished, destitute.
- Cảnh bần cùng của người nông dân. (The destitute condition of the farmers.)
- Bần hàn (adj): poor and cold; indigent.
- Xuất thân từ một gia đình bần hàn. (Coming from an indigent family.)
Synonyms
- Indigent: Lacking the necessities of life due to poverty.
- Destitute: Completely impoverished, lacking basic resources.
- Needy: Being in a condition of need, especially financial.
- Impoverished: Reduced to a state of poverty.
Related Idioms
- Cơ hàn: Literally "hungry and cold"; describes a life of poverty and hardship.
- Trải qua thời trẻ cơ hàn. (To have experienced a youth of poverty and hardship.)