腐烂

• Pinyin: fǔ làn
• Hanzi breakdown: 腐 = 府 + 肉 (rotten meat); 烂 = 火 + 兰 (decayed by heat)

Meaning

To rot; to decay; to decompose. As an adjective, rotten, decayed, or corrupt.

Primarily describes biological decay of organic matter. Metaphorically used for moral corruption, institutional decay, or degradation of systems and values.

Examples

1. 夏天食物容易腐烂变质。 Food spoils easily in the summer.
2. 腐烂的树叶化作养分滋养土地。 Rotting leaves turn into nutrients that nourish the soil.
3. 他批评了社会的腐烂现象。 He criticized the decay in society.

Usage Guide

Context: biology, food, criticism

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 水果存放不当会迅速腐烂。(Improperly stored fruit will rot quickly.)
• 腐烂的木头散发出难闻的气味。(The rotting wood emits an unpleasant smell.)

Don't Say

• 金属腐烂了 — use 腐蚀 or 生锈 for metal corrosion; 腐烂 is for organic matter

Origin & History

腐 (rot) + 烂 (decay)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal