die Armut
poverty
The state in which a person or group of people does not have sufficient financial means and essential goods.
EXAMPLE
Die Bekämpfung der Armut ist eine globale Herausforderung.
Combating poverty is a global challenge.
die Armut
poverty
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Meanings
die Armut
poverty
In a figurative sense, a lack or low quality in a particular area.
EXAMPLE
Die emotionale Armut des Films hat die Kritiker enttäuscht.
The emotional poverty of the film disappointed the critics.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Armut' (poverty) is derived from the adjective 'arm' (poor). It describes the state of being poor.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen sind von Armut bedroht.
Many people are at risk of poverty.
Typical collocations
In connection with financial hardship, 'Armut' (poverty) is often used in fixed phrases such as 'in Armut leben' (to live in poverty), 'die Armut bekämpfen' (to combat poverty), or 'von Armut betroffen sein' (to be affected by poverty).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie lebte viele Jahre in großer Armut.
The family lived in great poverty for many years.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'Mangel' (lack) by the fact that 'Armut' (poverty) is combined with an abstract, often emotional or intellectual term. Common examples are 'emotionale Armut' (emotional poverty), 'geistige Armut' (intellectual poverty), or 'kulturelle Armut' (cultural poverty).
EXAMPLE
Trotz seines Reichtums litt er an emotionaler Armut.
Despite his wealth, he suffered from emotional poverty.
Compare with
Armut vs Not
need / hardship
Not and Armut can both be associated with a lack of money or the basic necessities of life. Not focuses more on a very difficult or urgently distressing situation, while Armut describes a longer-term condition. Use Not for the specific difficult situation and Armut for the ongoing condition.
Armut
Wegen ihrer Armut konnte die Familie viele notwendige Dinge nicht kaufen.
Because of their poverty, the family could not buy many necessities.
Not
Nach dem Verlust seiner Arbeit geriet die Familie schnell in Not.
After losing his job, the family quickly fell into hardship.
In real life
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