Japanese

ききん
Meaning: famine; starvation
Part of Speech: Noun

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

飢
饉

Example sentences

A severe famine occurred due to the continued crop failure caused by cold weather damage.
飢饉で多くの人が餓死した。
Many people starved to death due to the famine.
長い飢饉の末、村人たちは皆、鵠面鳥形の姿になってしまった。
After the long famine, the villagers had all become emaciated and haggard.

Usage Notes

Refers to a widespread scarcity of food. Can also be used metaphorically for a shortage of other things (e.g., 'water famine').

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