Meaning of 一贫如洗
一贫如洗 means as poor as a church mouse; utterly destitute; dirt-poor. Pronounced yī pín rú xǐ.
- as poor as a church mouse; utterly destitute; dirt-poor
Definitions & Examples
Tā他
jiā家
yī一
pín贫
rú如
xǐ洗
，
lián连
jī基
běn本
de的
wēn温
bǎo饱
dōu都
chéng成
wèn问
tí题
。
His family is dirt-poor; even basic food and shelter are problems.
Jǐn尽
guǎn管
rú如
jīn今
yī一
pín贫
rú如
xǐ洗
，
dàn但
tā他
yī依
rán然
bǎo保
chí持
zhe着
lè乐
guān观
de的
xīn心
tài态
。
Although he is now utterly destitute, he still maintains an optimistic attitude.
Zhè这
wèi位
fù富
háo豪
pò破
chǎn产
hòu后
biàn变
de得
yī一
pín贫
rú如
xǐ洗
。
This tycoon became penniless after going bankrupt.
Jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
xǔ许
duō多
nóng农
mín民
yī一
pín贫
rú如
xǐ洗
，
shēng生
huó活
shí十
fēn分
bēi悲
cǎn惨
。
In the old society, many peasants were as poor as church mice, living miserable lives.