About
腐 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 肉 (meat/flesh) at the bottom and the phonetic component 府 (government office/mansion) above. Its original meaning describes the biological process of meat spoiling or decomposing. This core concept of physical decay was later extended to include the rotting of plants and wood, as well as the creation of fermented foods like tofu. Metaphorically, the meaning of decay was also adopted in sociopolitical contexts to refer to systemic corruption, moral degradation, and institutional failure.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我喜欢吃豆腐。
水果腐烂了。
腐败食物不能吃。
木头已经腐朽了。
这种食品含有防腐剂。
权力可能导致腐化。
社会腐败现象需要整治。
为了防止食物腐烂，我们使用了防腐剂。