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B1 noun/adjective #4,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 9 دقيقة للقراءة

腐败

fǔbài الأكثر شيوعاً #4,000

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الشرح 腐败 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'fǔbài' often. You might encounter it when talking about very simple things that are 'bad' or 'rotten', like an apple. However, most A1 learners would just use the word 'huài' (bad). Think of 'fǔbài' as a 'big' word for when an apple is so old it gets mushy and smelly. You won't use it in your own speaking yet, but you might see the characters in a grocery store on a sign about 'fǔbài shíwù' (rotten food) to avoid. Focus on the 'meat' (肉) part of the first character to help you remember it relates to things that can rot. At this stage, just recognize that it means 'very bad' or 'rotten'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

By A2, you are starting to read more news and social topics. You might hear 'fǔbài' on the news when people talk about 'bad officials'. It is important to know that 'fǔbài' is different from just being a 'bad person'. It usually means someone in a job doing something dishonest for money. You can also use it for food in a more 'official' way. If you are describing why you threw away some meat, you could say 'it was fǔbài'. But mostly, you will see it in sentences like 'We don't like corruption'. It's a noun here. Try to remember the sound: 'fǔ' (3rd tone) and 'bài' (4th tone). The second character 'bài' also means 'to fail', so 'rotten failure' is a good way to remember the meaning.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At B1, you should be able to use 'fǔbài' in discussions about society and the environment. You understand that it has two main meanings: biological rot and political corruption. You can use it as an adjective to describe a 'corrupt system' (fǔbài de zhìdù) or as a noun to discuss 'fighting corruption' (fǎnfǔbài). You should start to distinguish it from 'tānwū' (embezzlement). If a politician takes a bribe, that is 'fǔbài'. If they steal the city's money, that is 'tānwū'. In your writing, you can use 'fǔbài' to add a more formal and serious tone when discussing problems in a company or government. You also understand its use in describing the natural process of decomposition in nature.

At the B2 level, you can use 'fǔbài' with nuance. You understand its metaphorical uses, such as 'shénghuó fǔbài' to describe a decadent, morally bankrupt lifestyle. you can use it in debates about governance and history, explaining how 'fǔbài' led to the downfall of ancient dynasties. You are comfortable with collocations like 'dǎjī fǔbài' (strike against corruption) and 'fǔbài fēnlì' (corrupt elements/people). You also know that in scientific contexts, 'fǔbài' is the standard term for decomposition. You can write essays comparing different types of institutional 'fǔbài' and suggest ways to prevent it. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'fǔbài' alongside words like 'huìlù' (bribery) and 'quánlì' (power).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

For C1 learners, 'fǔbài' is a tool for deep social and political analysis. You can discuss the root causes of corruption, such as 'zhìdù xìng fǔbài' (systemic corruption). You understand the historical etymology of the characters and can use them in literary or academic contexts. You can identify 'fǔbài' in literature, where it might symbolize the decay of an era or a class. You are also aware of the 'soft' uses of the word, such as in social media where it's used jokingly for an expensive dinner, though you know when to avoid this in formal settings. You can use the word to describe complex biological processes or ecological cycles involving 'fǔbài' with precision, using related terms like 'fǔzhízhì' (humus).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'fǔbài'. You can use it in high-level legal, political, or philosophical discourse. You understand its subtle connotations in different historical periods of China. You can write sophisticated critiques of 'fǔbài' in various sectors, from the judiciary to the sports world. You are familiar with classical allusions or idioms that involve the concept of rot and failure. You can navigate the sensitivities of the word in contemporary Chinese politics, knowing exactly when and how to apply it in professional reports or academic papers. You can also explain the biochemical details of 'fǔbài' in a scientific context without hesitation, using the word as a base for complex technical discussions.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

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腐败 في 30 ثانية

腐败 (fǔbài) is a B1-level word meaning 'corruption' or 'biological rot'. It describes systemic dishonesty or organic decay.
It is most commonly used in news reports regarding government officials or in biology to describe decomposition.
As an adjective, it means 'corrupt' or 'rotten'; as a noun, it means 'corruption' or 'decay'.
Key synonyms include 贪腐 (political greed) and 变质 (food spoilage). It is a strong, formal term.

The Chinese term 腐败 (fǔbài) is a multifaceted word that bridges the gap between the physical world of biological decay and the abstract world of moral and political degradation. At its most literal level, it refers to the process of organic matter rotting or decomposing. However, in modern discourse, it is overwhelmingly used to describe systemic corruption within governments, organizations, or businesses. Understanding this word requires a grasp of how Chinese culture views the health of a system—whether that system is a bowl of fruit or a national administration. When a peach 'fǔbài', it becomes toxic and loses its essence; similarly, when an official 'fǔbài', the integrity of the institution is compromised, leading to a 'foul' state of affairs that threatens the stability of the whole.

Biological Context: In biology, it refers to decomposition caused by bacteria or fungi. You might see this in scientific texts or when discussing food safety. For example, 'shíwù fǔbài' (food spoilage) is a common phrase. It implies a transformation from something useful and life-sustaining to something harmful and repulsive.
Political Context: This is the most frequent usage in news and daily conversation. It refers to the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It encompasses bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. In the context of the 'Tigers and Flies' anti-corruption campaign in China, 'fǔbài' is the central target. It is often treated as a social 'cancer' that needs to be excised.
Moral and Lifestyle Context: Sometimes used to describe a decadent or degenerate lifestyle. If someone spends all their time in luxury and excess without contributing to society, their lifestyle might be described as 'shénghuó fǔbài' (corrupt/decadent life). This usage leans into the idea of moral rot.

政府正在严厉打击官员的腐败行为。(The government is severely cracking down on the corrupt behavior of officials.)

由于天气炎热，这些肉类已经开始腐败了。(Due to the hot weather, these meats have already begun to rot.)

Historically, the concept of 腐败 has been tied to the 'Mandate of Heaven'. When a dynasty became 'fǔbài', it was seen as a sign that the rulers had lost their moral right to lead, eventually leading to rebellion and the rise of a new dynasty. This historical weight makes the word particularly potent in Chinese political discourse today. It is not just a legal infraction; it is a fundamental failure of duty and character. The character 'fǔ' (腐) contains the radical for 'meat' (肉) under 'government workshop' (府), suggesting that meat stored improperly in a government office will eventually rot—a perfect metaphor for institutional decay.

Using 腐败 (fǔbài) correctly depends on whether you are using it as a noun (corruption/rot) or an adjective (corrupt/rotten). It is a versatile word, but its weightiness means it should be used with precision. In formal Chinese, it often appears in four-character phrases or as part of compound subjects in news reports.

As a Noun: When used as a noun, it often follows verbs like 'dǎjī' (crack down on), 'fǎn' (anti/oppose), or 'zhìlǐ' (govern/manage). Example: 'Fǎnfǔbài' (Anti-corruption) is a major political theme. It can also be the subject of a sentence, such as 'Fǔbài shì shèhuì de dúliú' (Corruption is a tumor of society).
As an Adjective: As an adjective, it modifies nouns to describe their state. 'Fǔbài de guānyuán' (corrupt officials) or 'fǔbài de zhìdù' (a corrupt system). Note that when describing food, it is more formal than 'huàile'. You would see 'fǔbài de shíwù' in a health report rather than a casual conversation over dinner.

我们必须坚决反对任何形式的腐败。(We must resolutely oppose any form of corruption.)

这种腐败的社会风气必须得到扭转。(This corrupt social atmosphere must be reversed.)

In business contexts, 'fǔbài' might refer to kickbacks or the 'grey zone' of gift-giving. While some cultures might see small gifts as networking, in a strict anti-fǔbài environment, these are scrutinized heavily. When writing, remember that 'fǔbài' is a strong word. Calling a process 'fǔbài' implies it is fundamentally broken and morally bankrupt, not just inefficient. If a process is just slow or messy, use 'làn' (messy/rotten in a less moral sense) or 'húnluàn' (chaotic).

You will encounter 腐败 (fǔbài) in several distinct environments, ranging from the evening news to historical dramas and scientific documentaries. Its frequency in the Chinese media has surged over the last decade due to high-profile political campaigns.

News and Media: CCTV (China Central Television) and major newspapers like the People's Daily frequently use 'fǔbài' when reporting on legal cases involving high-ranking officials. Phrases like 'shèxián fǔbài' (suspected of corruption) are standard journalistic jargon. It is the go-to word for institutional wrongdoing.
Historical Dramas (Guāzhǎng jù): In dramas set in the Qing or Ming dynasties, you'll hear characters lamenting the 'fǔbài' of the imperial court. It serves as a narrative device to explain why a dynasty is failing or why a hero must rise to fight the system.
Academic and Scientific Settings: In biology class or environmental documentaries, 'fǔbài' describes the decomposition of organic matter. You might hear about 'fǔbài zuòyòng' (the process of decay/decomposition) in the context of the carbon cycle or soil health.

新闻报道：该市多名官员因涉嫌腐败被调查。(News report: Multiple officials in the city are being investigated for suspected corruption.)

If you are traveling in China, you'll see 'fǎnfǔ' (anti-corruption) slogans on posters in public squares or government buildings. These are part of public awareness campaigns. In professional settings, 'fǔbài' is a serious accusation. If a project fails due to 'fǔbài', it implies someone stole money or took bribes, not just that they were incompetent. Understanding this word helps you navigate the moral landscape of Chinese professional and public life.

While 腐败 (fǔbài) is a standard term, learners often confuse it with other words related to 'badness' or 'crime'. Here are the most frequent pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Confusing with 贪污 (tānwū): 'Tānwū' specifically means embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. 'Fǔbài' is a broader umbrella term that includes 'tānwū', but also includes bribery, nepotism, and general moral decay. You can have 'fǔbài' without 'tānwū' (e.g., giving jobs to unqualified relatives), but 'tānwū' is always a form of 'fǔbài'.
Confusing with 变质 (biànzhì): When talking about food, 'biànzhì' (changed quality) is the everyday word for 'spoiled' or 'gone bad'. 'Fǔbài' is more technical and implies a state of advanced rot. If your milk is sour, say it is 'biànzhì' or 'huàile', not 'fǔbài' (unless you're writing a biology paper).
Overusing it for 'Bad' Things: Don't use 'fǔbài' to describe a person's bad personality or a broken machine. It is specifically for systems, institutions, or organic matter. A 'bad person' is 'huài rén', not 'fǔbài rén'.

Incorrect: 我的电脑腐败了。(My computer is corrupt - meaning broken.)
Correct: 我的电脑坏了。(My computer is broken.)

Another mistake is using 'fǔbài' as a verb like 'to corrupt someone'. While it can be used this way, it's more common to use 'fǔshí' (to corrode/corrupt) or 'shǐ...fǔbài' (make...corrupt). For example, 'jīnqián fǔshíle tā de línghún' (money corrupted his soul). Be mindful of the grammatical structures; 'fǔbài' is most comfortable as a state (adjective) or a concept (noun).

To truly master 腐败 (fǔbài), you should understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for describing various types of wrongdoing and decay.

贪腐 (tānfǔ): A compound of 'tān' (greed) and 'fǔ' (corruption). It is very similar to 'fǔbài' but emphasizes the greed motive. It's almost exclusively used in political and financial contexts.
堕落 (duòluò): Means 'degenerate' or 'depraved'. While 'fǔbài' is about systems, 'duòluò' is more about an individual's moral decline. A student who stops studying and starts gambling is 'duòluò', not 'fǔbài'.
烂 (làn): The literal word for 'rotten' or 'mushy'. Used for fruit, or colloquially to describe something of very poor quality. 'Zhè bù diànyǐng tàilànle' (This movie is too 'rotten'/terrible).
变质 (biànzhì): Literally 'change quality'. Used for food going bad or a person's character changing for the worse. It's less harsh than 'fǔbài'.

Comparison:
- 腐败的官员 (Corrupt official - systemic/legal context)
- 堕落的青年 (Degenerate youth - moral/personal context)
- 变质的牛奶 (Spoiled milk - physical/everyday context)

Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to sound formal, scientific, or casual. 'Fǔbài' carries a sense of gravity and structural failure. If you use it, you are making a serious point about the integrity of the subject. Use 'tānwū' if you are specifically talking about money, and 'duòluò' if you are talking about someone's soul or habits. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The character for 'fǔ' (腐) has the 'meat' (肉) radical at the bottom. The top part (府) means a government office. This literally suggests meat rotting inside a government building!

دليل النطق

UK fǔ bài

US fǔ bài

The emphasis is balanced, but the fourth tone on 'bài' sounds more forceful.

يتقافى مع

kǔ (bitter) pǔ (general) mài (sell) wài (outside) dài (belt) hǎi (sea - partial) shài (sunbathe) ài (love)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'fǔ' as second tone (fú).
Pronouncing 'bài' as first tone (bāi).
Confusing the 'f' sound with 'h' in some dialects.
Misreading the 'ou' sound if it were a different word.
Incorrectly stressing the first syllable.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Characters are somewhat complex but common in news.

الكتابة 4/5

Writing '腐' (fǔ) requires many strokes and correct radical placement.

التحدث 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you know the tones.

الاستماع 2/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in news broadcasts.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

坏 (bad) 肉 (meat) 政府 (government) 钱 (money) 变 (change)

تعلّم لاحقاً

贿赂 (bribery) 惩治 (punish) 廉洁 (honest/clean) 监督 (supervise) 透明 (transparent)

متقدم

贪赃枉法 (bribery and law-breaking) 中饱私囊 (pocketing public funds) 权钱交易 (power-money trade)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Using 'de' (的) to turn 'fǔbài' into an adjective.

腐败的社会 (Corrupt society)

Using 'yīnwèi' (因为) to explain the cause of failure.

因为腐败，他被捕了。

Passive voice with 'bèi' (被) in legal contexts.

腐败分子被抓了。

Using 'shǐ' (使) to show corruption as an effect.

权力使人腐败。

Intensifying with 'fēicháng' (非常) or 'jíqí' (extremely).

这里的腐败极其严重。

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

这个苹果腐败了。

This apple is rotten.

Simple Subject + Adjective structure.

我不吃腐败的肉。

I don't eat rotten meat.

Using 腐败 as an adjective to modify a noun.

腐败的东西不好。

Rotten things are not good.

Using 'de' to link the adjective and noun.

这里有腐败的味道。

There is a smell of rot here.

Using 腐败 as a noun/adjective for a smell.

天气热，食物容易腐败。

When it's hot, food rots easily.

Adverb 'yóngyì' (easily) before the verb/adjective.

我们要反对腐败。

We must oppose corruption.

Verb 'fǎnduì' + Noun.

他是一个腐败的人。

He is a corrupt person.

Describing a person's character simply.

腐败是不对的。

Corruption is wrong.

Using the word as the subject.

这些蔬菜已经腐败，不能吃了。

These vegetables have already rotted and cannot be eaten.

Using 'yǐjīng' to show a completed state.

那个官员因为腐败去了监狱。

That official went to prison because of corruption.

Using 'yīnwèi' to show cause.

我们学校没有腐败现象。

There is no corruption phenomenon in our school.

Using 'xiànxiàng' (phenomenon) as a noun phrase.

森林里有很多腐败的叶子。

There are many rotten leaves in the forest.

Describing natural decay.

他不喜欢腐败的生活方式。

He doesn't like a corrupt lifestyle.

Modifying 'shénghuó fāngshì'.

政府打击腐败很有力。

The government's crackdown on corruption is very strong.

Using 'hěn yǒulì' as a complement.

我们要学习如何预防腐败。

We need to learn how to prevent corruption.

Verb 'yùfáng' (prevent).

腐败会破坏一个国家。

Corruption will destroy a country.

Future/potential with 'huì'.

这种腐败的制度必须改革。

This corrupt system must be reformed.

Emphasis on 'zhìdù' (system).

长期以来的腐败导致了公司的破产。

Long-term corruption led to the company's bankruptcy.

Using 'dǎozhì' (lead to) for negative results.

在高温下，微生物会加速肉类的腐败。

Under high temperatures, microorganisms accelerate the decay of meat.

Scientific context with 'jiāsù'.

反腐败斗争是一项长期的任务。

The anti-corruption struggle is a long-term task.

Compound noun 'fǎnfǔbài dòuzhēng'.

一些官员利用权力进行腐败活动。

Some officials use their power to engage in corrupt activities.

Verb 'jìnxíng' + Noun.

腐败不仅是经济问题，也是道德问题。

Corruption is not only an economic issue but also a moral one.

Structure 'bùjǐn...yě...'.

为了防止食物腐败，我们需要冰箱。

To prevent food spoilage, we need a refrigerator.

Purpose clause with 'wèile'.

这种腐败的社会风气令人担忧。

This corrupt social atmosphere is worrying.

Using 'lìngrén dānyōu' (makes one worry).

历史证明，腐败是王朝灭亡的主要原因之一。

History proves that corruption is one of the main reasons for the downfall of dynasties.

Academic tone with 'lìshǐ zhèngmíng'.

他因为拒绝参与腐败而丢了工作。

He lost his job because he refused to participate in corruption.

Using 'jùjué' (refuse).

腐败现象在某些行业中依然根深蒂固。

The phenomenon of corruption remains deep-rooted in certain industries.

Idiom 'gēnshēn dìgù' (deep-rooted).

建立透明的机制是遏制腐败的关键。

Establishing transparent mechanisms is the key to curbing corruption.

Using 'èzhì' (curb/contain).

这种生活方式太腐败了，每天就是喝酒。

This lifestyle is too decadent; it's just drinking every day.

Metaphorical use for decadence.

腐败的本质是权力的私有化。

The essence of corruption is the privatization of power.

Philosophical definition.

土壤中的腐败物质为植物提供了养分。

Decaying matter in the soil provides nutrients for plants.

Positive biological context.

打击腐败需要全社会的共同努力。

Fighting corruption requires the joint efforts of the whole society.

Using 'gòngtóng nǔlì'.

司法腐败会动摇社会的公平正义基础。

Judicial corruption will shake the foundation of social fairness and justice.

Specific sector: 'sīfǎ' (judicial).

这些文件揭露了该组织内部触目惊心的腐败。

These documents exposed the shocking corruption within the organization.

Idiom 'chùmù jīngxīn' (shocking).

腐败的蔓延会导致公共资源的巨大浪费。

The spread of corruption leads to a massive waste of public resources.

Using 'mànyán' (spread/creep).

我们必须从制度上铲除腐败滋生的土壤。

We must institutionally eradicate the soil where corruption breeds.

Metaphorical 'zīshēng de tǔrǎng'.

文学作品常以腐败为主题来批判现实。

Literary works often use corruption as a theme to criticize reality.

Literary analysis context.

腐败行为往往披着合法的外衣。

Corrupt acts often wear a cloak of legality.

Metaphor 'pīzhe...de wàiyī'.

该地区的生态系统依赖于有机物的腐败与循环。

The ecosystem of this region depends on the decay and cycling of organic matter.

Technical scientific usage.

对腐败的零容忍态度是现代文明的标志。

A zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption is a hallmark of modern civilization.

Abstract concept 'líng róngrěn'.

腐败不仅侵蚀了经济体，更腐蚀了民族的精神支柱。

Corruption not only erodes the economy but also corrodes the spiritual pillars of the nation.

High-level parallel structure.

权力的绝对化必然导致腐败的绝对化。

The absolutization of power inevitably leads to the absolutization of corruption.

Political philosophy (Lord Acton quote style).

在历史的长河中，腐败往往是文明衰落的前奏。

In the long river of history, corruption is often the prelude to the decline of civilization.

Metaphorical 'lìshǐ de chánghé'.

我们要警惕那种打着‘人情’旗号的变相腐败。

We must be vigilant against that kind of disguised corruption under the banner of 'personal favors'.

Specific social critique: 'biànxiàng' (disguised).

该政权的腐败已到了无以复加的地步，改革已无济于事。

The corruption of the regime has reached an unsurpassable level; reform is now futile.

Idiom 'wúyǐ fùjiā' (to the extreme).

腐败的根源往往在于缺乏有效的监督与制衡。

The root of corruption often lies in the lack of effective supervision and checks and balances.

Complex political analysis.

生物化学中的腐败过程涉及复杂的蛋白质分解反应。

The process of putrefaction in biochemistry involves complex protein decomposition reactions.

Advanced scientific terminology.

铲除腐败不仅需要法律的严惩，更需要文化的重塑。

Eradicating corruption requires not only severe legal punishment but also cultural reshaping.

Comprehensive social solution.

المرادفات

贪污堕落腐烂受贿

الأضداد

廉洁新鲜公正

تلازمات شائعة

政治腐败

打击腐败

防止腐败

滋生腐败

食物腐败

腐败分子

腐败现象

反腐败

严重腐败

根除腐败

العبارات الشائعة

零容忍

— Zero tolerance. Often used with corruption.

对腐败零容忍。

老虎苍蝇一起打

— Catching both 'tigers' (high officials) and 'flies' (low officials).

反腐败要老虎苍蝇一起打。

权力腐败

— Corruption of power.

绝对的权力导致绝对的权力腐败。

生活腐败

— A decadent, expensive lifestyle.

他的生活非常腐败。

制度腐败

— Systemic corruption.

这是制度腐败的结果。

腐败无能

— Corrupt and incompetent. Often used for failing governments.

那个政府腐败无能。

集体腐败

— Collective corruption within a group.

该部门发生了集体腐败。

变相腐败

— Disguised corruption.

公费旅游是变相腐败。

贪污腐败

— Embezzlement and corruption (combined).

严惩贪污腐败。

反腐倡廉

— Fight corruption and promote integrity.

我们要深入开展反腐倡廉。

يُخلط عادةً مع

腐败 vs 贪污

Tānwū is specifically stealing money; Fǔbài is the broader concept of corruption.

腐败 vs 变质

Biànzhì is used for food going bad; Fǔbài is more formal or scientific for rot.

腐败 vs 堕落

Duòluò is individual moral decline; Fǔbài is usually institutional.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"流水不腐"

— Running water does not get stagnant/rotten. Means activity prevents decay.

流水不腐，户枢不蠹。

Literary

"贪赃枉法"

— Take bribes and pervert the law.

这些官员贪赃枉法。

Formal

"中饱私囊"

— Stuff one's pockets with public money.

他利用职权中饱私囊。

Formal

"权钱交易"

— Exchange of power for money.

我们要杜绝权钱交易。

Formal

"官官相护"

— Officials shielding each other.

这种官官相护的行为必须停止。

Critical

"蝇营狗苟"

— To shamelessly seek personal gain like flies and dogs.

他整天蝇营狗苟。

Strongly Critical

"贪得无厌"

— Insatiably greedy.

那些腐败分子贪得无厌。

Descriptive

"鱼肉百姓"

— To prey upon the people.

腐败官员鱼肉百姓。

Historical/Literary

"身败名裂"

— To be ruined in fortune and reputation.

腐败让他身败名裂。

Resultative

"天理难容"

— Intolerable by heaven's law.

这种腐败行为天理难容。

Moralistic

سهل الخلط

腐败 vs 腐蚀

Both start with 'fǔ'.

Fǔshí means corrosion (like acid on metal) or 'eroding' someone's will. Fǔbài is rot or corruption.

海水腐蚀了铁。金钱腐蚀了心。

腐败 vs 腐烂

Both mean rot.

Fǔlàn is purely physical/biological. Fǔbài can be physical or metaphorical (political).

尸体腐烂了。

腐败 vs 贿赂

Both relate to dishonesty.

Huìlù is the act of bribery (giving/taking the bribe). Fǔbài is the state of being corrupt.

他通过贿赂获得了合同。

腐败 vs 败坏

Both have 'bài'.

Bàihuài is a verb meaning 'to ruin' (e.g., reputation). Fǔbài is a noun/adjective for the state.

他败坏了家风。

腐败 vs 衰败

Both have 'bài'.

Shuāibài means to decline or wither (like a dynasty or flower). Fǔbài implies a moral or biological rot.

古城已经衰败了。

أنماط الجُمل

Subject + 因为腐败 + Verb

他因为腐败坐牢了。

打击 + 腐败 + 是 + Adj

打击腐败是很重要的。

食物 + 已经 + 腐败了

肉已经腐败了。

由于 + Noun + 的腐败

由于官员的腐败，计划失败了。

铲除 + 腐败 + 的 + 根源

我们要铲除腐败的根源。

腐败 + 涉及 + Noun

这次腐败涉及很多钱。

A + 是 + B + 腐败的 + 表现

贪污是权力腐败的表现。

绝对的权力 + 导致 + 绝对的腐败

绝对的权力导致绝对的腐败。

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

腐败 (corruption)

腐朽 (decay/decadence)

腐蚀 (corrosion)

腐肉 (rotten meat)

الأفعال

腐败 (to rot)

腐蚀 (to corrode/corrupt)

腐烂 (to decompose)

الصفات

腐败的 (corrupt)

腐朽的 (decadent)

腐烂的 (rotten)

مرتبط

贪污 (embezzlement)

贿赂 (bribery)

变质 (spoilage)

堕落 (degeneration)

衰落 (decline)

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

High in news and adult conversation; low in childhood speech.

أخطاء شائعة

我的文件腐败了。 → 我的文件损坏了。
Don't use 腐败 for digital files. Use 损坏 (damaged).
他是一个腐败人。 → 他是一个腐败的人。
You need the 'de' (的) particle between the adjective and the noun.
天气很腐败。 → 天气很糟糕。
腐败 cannot describe weather. Use 糟糕 (terrible) or 坏 (bad).
食物变腐败了。 → 食物变质了。
While not technically wrong, 变质 is much more natural for food in a house.
他腐败了我的钱。 → 他贪污了我的钱。
腐败 is usually a state, not a transitive verb for stealing. Use 贪污 for the act of stealing money.

نصائح

The Rotting Office

Remember the characters: A government office (府) with meat (肉) rotting inside. That is 腐. When it fails (败), it's 腐败.

News Vocabulary

If you watch Chinese news, you will hear this word almost every day. It's key to understanding social reporting.

Food vs Politics

90% of the time you hear this word, it's about politics. Only 10% is about actual rotting food.

Adjective Marker

Always use 'de' (的) when describing a person or system: '腐败的官员' (Corrupt official).

Tigers and Flies

Learn the phrase '老虎苍蝇一起打' to understand how 腐败 is discussed in modern China.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'bài' is a sharp falling tone. If you say it flat, people might not understand you.

Stroke Order

The character '腐' is complex. Practice the '府' part first, then add the '肉' at the bottom.

Radio Clues

In radio broadcasts, 'fǎnfǔ' (anti-corruption) is often spoken very quickly. Listen for the 'f' sound.

Newspaper Headlines

Look for headlines with '涉嫌' (suspected of) + '腐败'. It's a standard formula.

Ironic Use

Only use the 'fancy dinner' slang with very close friends, otherwise it sounds weird.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Imagine meat (肉) left in a government office (府) until it rots (腐), leading to the failure (败) of the government.

ربط بصري

A picture of a shiny golden apple that is completely black and mushy on the inside.

Word Web

Corruption Rot Bribery Embezzlement Decay Government Food Spoilage Moral Decline

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'fǔbài' in a sentence about a historical dynasty and then in a sentence about your refrigerator. This helps bridge the two meanings.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a combination of 'fǔ' (腐) and 'bài' (败). 'Fǔ' originally depicted meat in a government storehouse rotting. 'Bài' means to fail, be defeated, or break down.

المعنى الأصلي: Originally referred to the physical rotting of meat or food.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when discussing current political 'fǔbài' in China in public or formal settings, as it is a politically charged topic.

In English, 'corruption' is almost always political/business. We use 'rot' or 'spoil' for food. In Chinese, one word covers both.

The TV series 'In the Name of People' (人民的名义) is a famous show about fighting 腐败. The 'Tigers and Flies' (老虎苍蝇) campaign. Lord Acton's quote 'Power tends to corrupt' is often translated using '腐败'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Political News

打击腐败
反腐倡廉
涉嫌腐败
腐败分子

Food Safety

食物腐败
防止腐败
腐败变质
腐败的味道

Historical Analysis

王朝腐败
官场腐败
腐败无能
导致灭亡

Business Ethics

公司腐败
内部腐败
权钱交易
职业道德

Scientific Study

腐败作用
有机物腐败
微生物腐败
腐败过程

بدايات محادثة

"你认为怎样才能有效打击腐败？ (How do you think corruption can be effectively fought?)"

"在你的国家，腐败问题严重吗？ (Is the problem of corruption serious in your country?)"

"为什么权力容易导致腐败？ (Why does power easily lead to corruption?)"

"你觉得科技可以帮助减少腐败吗？ (Do you think technology can help reduce corruption?)"

"如何防止夏天的食物腐败？ (How to prevent food from rotting in the summer?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

写一写腐败对社会公平的影响。 (Write about the impact of corruption on social fairness.)

描述一次你发现食物腐败的经历。 (Describe an experience where you found food had rotted.)

讨论历史上一段因为腐败而结束的王朝。 (Discuss a historical dynasty that ended due to corruption.)

如果你是领导，你会采取什么措施预防腐败？ (If you were a leader, what measures would you take to prevent corruption?)

分析‘老虎苍蝇一起打’这一政策的意义。 (Analyze the significance of the 'catching tigers and flies' policy.)

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No. In English we say 'corrupt file', but in Chinese you use 'sunhuài' (damaged) or 'pòhuài' (destroyed). 腐败 is only for biology or morals.

Yes, it is a very serious accusation. Calling someone 腐败 implies they are legally and morally wrong on a systemic level.

腐败 (Corruption) is the umbrella term. 贪污 (Embezzlement) is the specific act of stealing public money. You can be corrupt by hiring your cousin (nepotism) without actually stealing money.

Use '牛奶变质了' (Niúnǎi biànzhì le) or '牛奶坏了' (Niúnǎi huài le). 腐败 sounds too scientific for milk.

It can be, but it's more common as a noun or adjective. For 'to corrupt someone', use 'fǔshí' or 'shǐ...fǔbài'.

It is short for '反腐败' (Anti-corruption). You see this everywhere in Chinese news.

In biology, yes, as it's part of the nutrient cycle. In social contexts, it's always negative, except for the rare slang use for a fancy dinner.

It has the 'meat' radical (肉) at the bottom and the 'government office' (府) at the top.

No. It is not used for weather or physical objects like cars or phones.

It is typically considered B1 (Intermediate) because while the concept is simple, the usage in news and formal writing is very frequent.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات