朽

xiǔ

丂 + 木

Definitions

xiǔ (adjective) rotten; decayed

Etymology

The wood of a dying 丂 tree 木

About

The character 朽 is a phono-semantic compound, with the wood radical 木 on the left indicating its core meaning related to timber or wooden materials, and the phonetic component 丂 on the right. Its primary sense refers to the natural process of rotting or decaying. From this literal meaning, the character extended metaphorically to describe people who are senile or physically failing, as well as ideas, institutions, or practices that have become outdated, corrupt, or beyond repair.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这块木头腐朽了。

Zhè kuài mùtou fǔxiǔ le.

This piece of wood has decayed.

腐朽的木头不能用了。

Fǔxiǔ de mùtou bù néng yòng le.

Decayed wood cannot be used anymore.

这些朽木都被扔掉了。

Zhèxiē xiǔmù dōu bèi rēng diào le.

These rotten woods have been thrown away.

他的精神是不朽的。

Tā de jīngshén shì bùxiǔ de.

His spirit is immortal.

这位老朽独自生活。

Zhè wèi lǎoxiǔ dúzì shēnghuó.

This old man lives alone.

如果不处理，食物很快就会腐朽。

Rúguǒ bù chǔlǐ, shíwù hěn kuài jiù huì fǔxiǔ.

If not handled, food will decay quickly.

腐朽的制度必须被改革。

Fǔxiǔ de zhìdù bìxū bèi gǎigé.

The decayed system must be reformed.

尽管外表看起来坚固，但内部早已腐朽不堪。

Jǐnguǎn wàibiǎo kàn qǐlái jiāngù, dàn nèibù zǎo yǐ fǔxiǔ bùkān.

Although the exterior looks solid, the interior has long been utterly decayed.

Related Characters

Component: 丂

Component: 木

朽