腐敗

• 読み: ふはい
• ローマ字: fuhai
• 漢字の分解: 腐 (fu) — rot, decay; 敗 (hai) — defeated, ruined
• 発音: /ɸɯ.haː/

意味

Decomposition; decay; putrefaction; rot of organic matter.

A noun and suru verb with both literal and figurative meanings. Literally describes the biological process of organic matter breaking down due to bacteria. Figuratively, widely used to describe moral decay or corruption, especially in politics and institutions (政治の腐敗 = political corruption). Related terms include 腐る (to rot, the intransitive verb) and 汚職 (corruption, as a near-synonym in political contexts).

例文

1. 夏場は食品の腐敗が早いので注意が必要だ。
2. 政治の腐敗に国民の怒りが高まっている。
3. 腐敗した組織を改革するのは容易ではない。

使い方ガイド

場面: science, politics, ethics, food safety

トーン: serious

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese 腐 (fu, to rot/decay) + 敗 (hai, to be defeated/ruined). Literally 'rotting and ruination,' combining biological decay with the notion of deterioration.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal