pobreza

poverty

noun poh-BREH-sah Less Common

Origin: from Latin paupertas, via pobre (poor)

Usage Note

Pobreza is the standard term for poverty as a social condition; miseria suggests more extreme destitution or wretchedness. The phrase línea de pobreza (poverty line) is used in socioeconomic discourse across the Spanish-speaking world. The related adjective is pobre and the verb empobrecer (to impoverish).

Examples

"La pobreza infantil sigue siendo un problema grave."

Natural Translation

Child poverty remains a serious problem.

Literal Translation

poverty infantile

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