Japanese

れいていこく
Meaning: being destitute, lonely, and without support
Part of Speech: Noun, Four-character idiom

Listen to pronunciation

Example

村人は零丁孤苦の老人を助けた。
The villagers helped an elderly person who was destitute and alone.

Usage Notes

Used in literary or historical contexts for someone who has lost support, status, or family and suffers alone.

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