French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Poor" in French: pauvre
pauvre
Poor in French is pauvre: une famille pauvre, un pays pauvre. Pauvre toi expresses sympathy (poor you), not always literal poverty.
News discussion
Ce quartier reste trop pauvre en services.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pauvre
Say it
poh-vr
/povʁ/
Pauvre: poh-vr. Soft final re. Plural pauvres adds a light s in careful speech.
"Poor" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pauvre | poor Adjective. | Adjective. |
| pauvre toi | poor you Sympathy. | Sympathy. |
| les plus pauvres | the poorest Social talk. | Social talk. |
| un pauvre type | a poor guy (pitiful) Tone can be mocking—careful. | Tone can be mocking—careful. |
How to use pauvre in real life
- 1News discussion
Ce quartier reste trop pauvre en services.
This neighborhood stays too poor in services.
Pauvre en.
- 2Comforting a friend
Pauvre toi, quelle journée.
Poor you, what a day.
Sympathy use.
- 3Budget chat
Je suis un peu pauvre jusqu'à la paye.
I'm a bit broke until payday.
Informal self-describe.
Mistakes English speakers make with pauvre
Incorrect: Il est poor.
Correct: Il est pauvre.
Use pauvre.
Incorrect: Elle est pauvreuse.
Correct: Elle est pauvre.
Singular pauvre is the same for feminine; do not invent pauvreuse.
Good to know
Calling someone pauvre about money can sound harsh; people soften with pas riche or à court d'argent. Pauvre toi / pauvre de moi is everyday empathy. In politics, les plus pauvres is standard phrasing.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a rough commute
ChatPal
Pauvre toi — trois correspondances pour rien ?
Poor you—three connections for nothing?
You
Oui… je me sens pauvre en énergie ce soir.
Yes… I feel poor in energy tonight.
ChatPal
Viens, on commande. Pas de cuisine.
Come on, we'll order. No cooking.
You
Merci. Tu me sauves.
Thanks. You're saving me.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Poor" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Poor" in French
How do you say poor in French?
Pauvre.
What does pauvre toi mean?
Poor you — sympathy.
Does pauvre change for feminine?
Singular pauvre is the same; plural pauvres.
How do you pronounce pauvre?
poh-vr.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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