About
The character "朽", meaning decay or rot, has retained its core semantic focus while its structure offers a clear etymological insight. It is composed of the radical "木" (wood) on the left, directly indicating its original association with the deterioration of wooden material, combined with the component "丂" on the right, which historically functioned as a phonetic element suggesting a pronunciation but also carried an associated sense of breath or vitality coming to an end. This composition solidifies the concept of organic matter losing its structural integrity and life. Over time, the application of "朽" extended beyond physical decomposition to describe abstract forms of fading into obscurity, such as in the phrase "永垂不朽", where "不朽" means imperishable or immortal, conceptually opposing decay. The traditional form of the character is identical to the one in common use today, maintaining this logical compound formation throughout its history.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这块木头腐朽了。
腐朽的木头不能用了。
这些朽木都被扔掉了。
他的精神是不朽的。
这位老朽独自生活。
如果不处理，食物很快就会腐朽。
腐朽的制度必须被改革。
尽管外表看起来坚固，但内部早已腐朽不堪。