01
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
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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
'die Not' and 'die Armut' can both mean that people do not have enough to live on. 'Armut' more often describes a long-term state: someone has too little money, food, or other important things. 'Not' sounds more urgent and can also refer to an acute, dangerous situation. A poor person may live in poverty permanently; a person in 'Not' often needs immediate help. Learners may confuse the words because poverty often leads to hardship. Still, 'Armut' is more precise for the financial condition, while 'Not' is more precise for urgent distress.
Armut
Viele Kinder leiden unter Armut, weil ihre Familien kaum Geld haben.
Many children suffer from poverty because their families have hardly any money.
Not
Nach dem Brand war die Familie in großer Not.
After the fire, the family was in severe hardship.
In real life
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