About
The character 糟 is etymologically derived from the semantic component 米, meaning "rice", which points to its association with grain-based products, combined with the phonetic component 曹 that suggests its pronunciation. Initially, it specifically denoted the fermented dregs or lees leftover from producing wine or liquor, a concrete reference to waste material. Over time, this literal sense broadened into metaphorical territories, where 糟 came to describe anything in a ruined or poor state, thereby acquiring adjectives senses meaning "rotten" or "spoiled". Its semantic range further expanded to include verbal actions, such as to decay, to ruin, or to treat with disrespect, which are encapsulated in common compounds like 糟蹋 (to waste) and 糟糕 (a mess or terrible situation). Throughout its history, the character's structural integrity has been maintained, while its meanings have shifted from a tangible byproduct to abstract concepts of deterioration and negation.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这太糟糕了。
我的心情很糟糕。
不要糟蹋食物。
这件事做得糟糕。
他把房间弄得一团糟。
由于管理不善，公司状况很糟。
这些糟木头不能用了。
虽然计划一开始就很糟，但我们没有放弃，最终成功了。