shabby / meager
ärmlich – ärmlicher – am ärmlichsten
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shabby / impoverished
Showing or characterized by material poverty; very simple and meager because there is little money and few possessions.
Die Familie lebt seit Jahren ärmlich.
The family has been living in impoverished conditions for years.
meager / poor
Deficient, inadequate, or scant; available only to a limited extent or in low quality.
Seine Deutschkenntnisse waren nach zwei Jahren immer noch recht ärmlich.
Even after two years, his German skills were still rather poor.
| basic form | ärmlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | ärmlicher |
| superlative | am ärmlichsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ärmlich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ärmlich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to ärmlich.
'Ärmlich' is made up of 'arm' (poor) and the ending '-lich'. The ending forms an adjective that describes a quality or impression.
Die ärmliche Kleidung zeigte, wie wenig Geld ihm zur Verfügung stand.
His shabby clothing showed how little money he had available.
'Ärmlich' often sounds derogatory or pitying and describes not only a deficiency but also the impression that deficiency creates. Therefore, use the word with particular care when talking about people or their living conditions.
Seine Bemerkung über das ärmliche Zimmer verletzte die Gastgeberin.
Her remark about the shabby room hurt the hostess's feelings.
When referring to financial circumstances, 'ärmlich' (impoverished) often occurs with words such as 'leben' (to live), 'Verhältnisse' (circumstances), 'Kleidung' (clothing), or 'Unterkunft' (accommodation). It usually describes a person's or family's visible living conditions.
Die Kinder wuchsen in ärmlichen Verhältnissen auf.
The children grew up in impoverished circumstances.
When referring to things, performance, or knowledge, 'ärmlich' (meager) often occurs with words such as 'Ergebnis' (result), 'Angebot' (selection), 'Kenntnisse' (knowledge), or 'Ausstattung' (equipment). It means that something offers disappointingly little or makes a poor impression.
Der Verein präsentierte bei der Feier ein ärmliches Programm.
The club presented a meager program at the celebration.
