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"Pobreza" is a noun which is often translated as "poverty", and "indigencia" is a noun which is often translated as "abject poverty". Learn more about the difference between "pobreza" and "indigencia" below.
la pobreza(
poh
-
breh
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. poverty
La extrema pobreza de la aldea la dejó pasmada.She was struck by the extreme poverty of the village.
2. (scarcity)
a. lack
Ese presidente se caracteriza por la pobreza de lógica en sus discursos.That president is characterized by the lack of logic in his speeches.
a. poverty
Debido a la pobreza de la tierra, los granjeros decidieron abandonar el pueblo.Due to the poverty of the soil, the farmers decided to abandon the town.
la indigencia(
een
-
dee
-
hehn
-
syah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (general)
a. abject poverty
Viví en la indigencia por dos semanas hasta que encontré un trabajo y pude pagarme una habitación.I lived in abject poverty for two weeks until I found a job and could pay for a room.
b. absolute poverty
Según la última investigación, un diez por ciento de la población es pobre y el cuatro por ciento vive en la indigencia.According to the latest research, ten percent of the population is poor, and four percent live in absolute poverty.
c. destitution
La familia vivía en la indigencia y ni siquiera tenía acceso al sistema de salud.The family was living in destitution and didn't even have access to the health service.
