World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionaries乞食
Pronunciation / Transliteration: koshoku
"乞食は道端で助けを求めていた。"
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A person who asks others for money or food.
"The beggar sat on the corner, holding a sign that read 'Please help'." - 2
A person who is very poor and relies on charity.
"In the winter, the beggar struggled to find shelter from the cold."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English and Anglo-French roots associated with the medieval religious movement of the Beghards, whose members lived on public charity. Over time, the term generalized from describing members of this specific ascetic group to anyone who asks people for money or food as a livelihood.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Beggar"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Beggar" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
mendiant
Transliteration: mɑ̃diɑ̃
"Le mendiant était assis sur le trottoir, demandant de l'aide."
Bettler
Transliteration: ˈbɛt.lɐ
"Der Bettler saß an der Straßenecke und hielt ein Schild hoch."
mendicante
Transliteration: men.diˈkan.te
"Il mendicante chiedeva aiuto ai passanti."
mendigo
Transliteration: menˈdiɣo
"El mendigo estaba sentado en la acera, pidiendo limosna."
mendigo
Transliteration: menˈdʒiɡu
"O mendigo pediu ajuda aos transeuntes."
भिखारी
Transliteration: bhikhari
"भिखारी ने लोगों से मदद मांगी।"
乞丐
Transliteration: qǐgài
"乞丐坐在街角，向路人乞求施舍。"
거지
Transliteration: geoji
"거지가 길거리에서 도움을 요청하고 있었다."
乞食
Transliteration: koshoku
"乞食は道端で助けを求めていた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all Japanese termsA secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Placing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Beggar"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.