Proverb / Kotowaza
貧乏暇なし
Poor people must work constantly for a living, leaving them with no free time.
The poor have no leisure
Quick Answer
Poor people must work constantly for a living, leaving them with no free time.
- Literal Image
- The poor have no leisure
- How to Use It
- Used when someone is extremely busy working to earn a living, as a self-deprecating comment about one's own busy schedule or lack of rest.
Meaning
This expression describes the reality where those with little wealth are forced to spend all their time working just to survive. It highlights that poverty results in a lack of both financial resources and the luxury of free time.
Literal Image
The poor have no leisure
How to Use It
Used when someone is extremely busy working to earn a living, as a self-deprecating comment about one's own busy schedule or lack of rest.
Tone
Can be used in a self-deprecating or slightly complaining manner.
Examples
今日は朝から晩までバイトで、本当に貧乏暇なしだ。
I've been at my part-time job from morning to night today; I really have no rest because of work.
貧乏暇なしとは言うけれど、もう少しゆっくり過ごす時間が欲しい。
They say the poor have no leisure, but I wish I had a bit more time to relax.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic vocabulary for poverty and free time, though the combination functions as a fixed idiomatic phrase.
貧乏
びんぼう / binbou
poverty; being poor
暇
ひま / hima
leisure; free time
なし
なし / nashi
none; without
Usage Profile
Usage note: While self-deprecating, be careful when using it to describe others as it directly comments on their financial status.
Misread Risk
Do not assume this refers to laziness; it specifically describes being too busy because of the necessity to earn money.
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Origin
This expression is believed to have originated from the daily lives of people during the Edo period. Since people had to work from dawn until dusk just to survive, the phrase spread to describe how poverty results in a lack of both financial resources and time.
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Topics, Situations, and Tags
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.