This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

貧乏くじ

貧乏籤、 貧乏鬮

Reading

Kana: びんぼうくじ
Romaji: binboukuji
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

short end of the stick; short straw; unlucky number; blank; bad bargain

Kanji

Readings: ヒン、 ビン、 まず.しい
Meanings: poverty, poor
Readings: ボウ、 とぼ.しい、 とも.しい
Meanings: destitution, scarce, limited
Readings: セン、 くじ、 かずとり
Meanings: lottery, raffle
Readings: キュウ、 くじ
Meanings: lottery, lot, raffle

Example Sentences

(ぼく)貧乏(びんぼう)くじをひいた。
➥I got the short straw.
Full Entry➤
貧乏(びんぼう)くじを()きたくない。
➥I don't want to be left holding the bag.
Full Entry➤
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