落ちこぼれ

おちこぼれ
Alternative writings: 落ち零れ
Frequency:

1Scattered or fallen remnants/scraps left behind (literal, physical sense).

Noun

Examples

脱穀の際に、わらの落ちこぼれが残った。

During threshing, bits of straw were left scattered.

2Leftovers, pickings, or remainders (small or discarded pieces used as pickings).

Noun

Examples

市場で落ちこぼれの果物を安く買った。

I bought leftover fruit cheaply at the market.

3Colloquial (sensitive): a student or person who falls behind or cannot keep up with a group; a dropout or laggard.

NounNoun Taking 'の'ColloquialSensitive

Examples

彼は数学が苦手でクラスの落ちこぼれになってしまった。

He was bad at math and became one of the class slowpokes.

落ちこぼれと呼ばれるのはつらいので、もっと支援が必要だ。

Being labeled a dropout/loser is painful, so more support is needed.

社会の落ちこぼれという言い方は偏見を助長する。

Calling someone a 'dropout of society' fosters prejudice.