乏しい
とぼしい
toboshii
JLPT N1adjectiveVocabularyLevel 77 - JLPT N1
Quick answer
乏しい (とぼしい (toboshii)) means "Poor". The reading is とぼしい (toboshii). Audio pronunciation and kanji breakdown are below.
Meaning
Poor
Also : Meagre · Scarce · Scanty · Limited
Learn 乏しい with SRS
Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.
Example Sentences
その国の資源は乏しいが、人々の創意工夫は豊かだ。
そのくにのしげんはとぼしいが、ひとびとのそういくふうはゆたかだ
While the country's resources are scarce, its people's ingenuity is abundant.
経験が乏しい新入社員たちに、先輩たちが丁寧に指導している。
けいけんがとぼしいしんにゅうしゃいんたちに、せんぱいたちがていねいにしどうしている
The senior employees are carefully guiding the new employees who lack experience.
Kanji in this word
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun/Verb dictionary form] + に際して～に際して (ni saishite) - On the occasion of
- [Noun] + をもとに(して)～をもとに (wo moto ni) - Based on
- [Noun/Verb dictionary form] + にあたって～にあたって (ni atatte) - When doing; Upon
- [Plain form verb/adjective] + ものの～ものの (mono no) - Although; Even though
- [Verb/Adjective/Noun] + にしろ/にせよ～にしろ／にせよ (ni shiro/ni seyo) - Even if; Regardless of
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Learn 乏しい with Spaced Repetition
InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.