When food 变质 (biàn zhì), it means it has gone bad or spoiled. This verb is commonly used to describe food that is no longer fresh and safe to eat. You'll hear it often in daily life, especially when talking about groceries or leftovers. It implies a change in quality that makes the food undesirable or even harmful to consume.
When we talk about food, if it's no longer good to eat, we say it has 变质 (biànzhì). This means it has gone bad, spoiled, or deteriorated in quality. You'll hear this often when people are checking if food is still fresh or if it needs to be thrown away. For example, if milk smells sour, it has 变质.
§ Basic Usage: Subject + 变质
The simplest way to use 变质 (biànzhì) is to put the food item that has gone bad as the subject of the sentence. Remember, 变质 is a verb that describes a state of change, so it often doesn't need an object.
这个牛奶变质了。(Zhège niúnǎi biànzhì le.)
- Translation hint
- This milk has gone bad.
那些水果已经变质了，不能吃了。(Nàxiē shuǐguǒ yǐjīng biànzhì le, bù néng chī le.)
- Translation hint
- Those fruits have already spoiled, you can't eat them.
§ Using 变质 as an Adjective with 的
You can also use 变质 with 的 (de) to describe food that has gone bad. In this case, 变质的 acts like an adjective before a noun.
不要吃变质的食物。(Bù yào chī biànzhì de shíwù.)
- Translation hint
- Don't eat spoiled food.
冰箱里有变质的肉。(Bīngxiāng lǐ yǒu biànzhì de ròu.)
- Translation hint
- There is spoiled meat in the refrigerator.
§ Asking About Spoilage
When you want to ask if something has gone bad, you can use 变质 in a question.
这碗饭是不是变质了？(Zhè wǎn fàn shì bu shì biànzhì le?)
- Translation hint
- Has this bowl of rice gone bad?
这些菜会变质吗？(Zhèxiē cài huì biànzhì ma?)
- Translation hint
- Will these dishes spoil?
§ Related Vocabulary
While 变质 is commonly used, here are a couple of other phrases you might hear related to food going bad:
过期 (guòqī): to expire. This refers to the expiry date on a product.
这个面包过期了。(Zhège miànbāo guòqī le.)
- Translation hint
- This bread has expired.
坏了 (huàile): broken, bad. This is a more general term and can be used for things other than food, but also for food that has gone bad.
苹果坏了。(Píngguǒ huàile.)
- Translation hint
- The apple is bad/spoiled.
알아야 할 문법
变质 (biàn zhì) can be used for food that has gone bad or spoiled.
这些肉变质了，不能吃了。(Zhè xiē ròu biàn zhì le, bù néng chī le.) - This meat has gone bad, it can't be eaten.
It often appears with 了 (le) to indicate a completed action or a change of state.
牛奶变质了，有一股酸味。(Niúnǎi biàn zhì le, yǒu yī gǔ suānwèi.) - The milk has spoiled, it has a sour smell.
It can also be used figuratively to mean that something's nature or quality has changed for the worse.
他们的友谊变质了。(Tāmen de yǒuyì biàn zhì le.) - Their friendship has soured (changed for the worse).
When describing a specific food item, 变质 is often placed after the noun.
我发现面包变质了。(Wǒ fāxiàn miànbāo biàn zhì le.) - I found that the bread had gone bad.
To ask if something has gone bad, you can use 变质了吗？(biàn zhì le ma?)
这鱼变质了吗？(Zhè yú biàn zhì le ma?) - Has this fish gone bad?
수준별 예문
这个苹果变质了。
This apple spoiled.
变质 (biànzhì) is the verb, meaning 'to go bad' or 'to spoil'.
肉变质了，不能吃了。
The meat spoiled, cannot eat.
不能 (bù néng) means 'cannot'.
牛奶变质了，有一股酸味。
The milk spoiled, has a sour smell.
一股 (yī gǔ) is a measure word for smells or forces. 酸味 (suānwèi) means 'sour smell'.
食物变质了会生病。
Eating spoiled food will get sick.
会 (huì) means 'will' or 'can'. 生病 (shēngbìng) means 'to get sick'.
蔬菜变质了就扔掉。
If vegetables spoil, throw them away.
就 (jiù) can mean 'then' or 'in that case'. 扔掉 (rēngdiào) means 'to throw away'.
面包变质了，上面有绿色的东西。
The bread spoiled, there is green stuff on it.
上面 (shàngmiàn) means 'on top'. 绿色的东西 (lǜsè de dōngxi) means 'green stuff'.
你闻闻，这个汤是不是变质了？
You smell, is this soup spoiled?
闻闻 (wénwén) is a reduplication of the verb 'to smell', making it softer. 是不是 (shì bu shì) asks a yes/no question.
别吃变质的鸡蛋。
Don't eat spoiled eggs.
别 (bié) means 'don't'. 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) means 'egg'.
这个牛奶变质了，不能喝。
This milk has gone bad, cannot drink.
肉在冰箱里放太久会变质。
Meat will spoil if left in the refrigerator too long.
我闻到面包有变质的味道。
I smell a spoiled scent from the bread.
如果储存不当，食物很容易变质。
Food can easily spoil if not stored properly.
这些水果已经变质了，我们扔掉吧。
These fruits have already gone bad, let's throw them away.
鸡蛋在夏天更容易变质。
Eggs spoil more easily in summer.
请检查一下，这个菜是不是变质了？
Please check, has this dish spoiled?
我不喜欢吃变质的食物。
I don't like to eat spoiled food.
사용법
When talking about food that has gone bad, use 变质 (biàn zhì). It literally means 'to change quality' or 'to deteriorate in quality'.
You can use it for various types of food, like meat, vegetables, and dairy.
Examples:
这肉变质了。 (Zhè ròu biàn zhì le.) - This meat has gone bad.
牛奶变质了，不能喝了。 (Niúnǎi biàn zhì le, bù néng hē le.) - The milk has spoiled, you can't drink it anymore.
A common mistake is using words like 坏 (huài) for spoiled food. While 坏 can mean 'bad', it's more general and less specific for food spoilage. 变质 is the more precise and natural word to use.
Don't confuse 变质 with something just tasting bad or being old but still edible. 变质 specifically means it's unhealthy or unsafe to eat.
Incorrect example:
这菜很坏。 (Zhè cài hěn huài.) - This dish is very bad. (Better to say: 这菜变质了。) - This dish has gone bad.
암기하기
기억법
Imagine a food 'bian' (变 - change) and it 'zhi' (质 - quality). So, it's changing in quality, which means it's going bad.
시각적 연상
Picture a carton of milk turning lumpy and discolored. This visual immediately connects to the idea of food spoiling or going bad, much like the word '变质' describes.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe three different food items that have gone bad using '变质' in a sentence for each. For example: 这块肉变质了 (Zhè kuài ròu biànzhì le - This piece of meat has gone bad).
셀프 테스트 42 질문
这个牛奶___了，不能喝。
牛奶 '变质' (biànzhì) 意味着它已经变坏，不能再喝了。
冰箱里的菜好像___了。
菜 '变质' (biànzhì) 指的是食物腐坏。
你闻闻这个肉，是不是___了？
肉有异味通常表示它已经 '变质' (biànzhì)。
过期了的食物容易___。
过期食物会 '变质' (biànzhì)，变得不适合食用。
我们最好把快要___的苹果扔掉。
即将 '变质' (biànzhì) 的苹果应该丢弃，以防吃到坏的食物。
如果食物___了，吃了会生病。
吃了 '变质' (biànzhì) 的食物可能会导致生病。
You bought some milk yesterday. Today, you notice it smells bad. Write a short sentence to say the milk has gone bad.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
牛奶变质了。
Your friend offers you some fruit, but you see it's rotten. Write a short sentence to tell your friend the fruit is spoiled.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个水果变质了。
You are cooking, and the meat you planned to use looks and smells strange. Write a short sentence to say the meat has gone bad.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这块肉变质了。
Why can't I eat the apples?
Read this passage:
妈妈买的苹果放了很久。今天我去看，苹果已经变质了。不能吃了。
Why can't I eat the apples?
The passage says '苹果已经变质了', which means the apples have already spoiled.
The passage says '苹果已经变质了', which means the apples have already spoiled.
What will happen if you don't drink the milk quickly after opening?
Read this passage:
冰箱里的牛奶开封后要快点喝完。不然，牛奶会变质。
What will happen if you don't drink the milk quickly after opening?
The passage states '不然，牛奶会变质', meaning otherwise, the milk will spoil.
The passage states '不然，牛奶会变质', meaning otherwise, the milk will spoil.
What might be wrong with the bread?
Read this passage:
这个面包放在外面一天了。闻起来有点酸。可能变质了。
What might be wrong with the bread?
The passage says '闻起来有点酸。可能变质了。', indicating it smells a bit sour and might have spoiled.
The passage says '闻起来有点酸。可能变质了。', indicating it smells a bit sour and might have spoiled.
This sentence asks if the milk has already gone bad. '牛奶' is milk, '已经' means already, '变质了' means gone bad/spoiled, and '吗' is a question particle.
This sentence means 'This apple is spoiled, don't eat it.' '这个' means this, '苹果' is apple, '变质了' means spoiled, and '不要吃' means don't eat.
This sentence translates to 'Food will spoil if left for too long.' '食物' is food, '放久了' means left for a long time, '会' means will/would, and '变质' means to spoil.
Your milk has gone bad. How would you tell your roommate?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的牛奶变质了，不能喝了。
You bought some fruit that spoiled quickly. Write a short sentence to express your disappointment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这些水果变质很快，我很不高兴。
Imagine you are throwing away some spoiled food. What would you say?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个菜变质了，我把它扔掉。
为什么不能喝冰箱里的牛奶？
Read this passage:
妈妈说冰箱里的牛奶变质了，不能喝了。她让我去商店买新的牛奶。
为什么不能喝冰箱里的牛奶？
文章中明确提到“牛奶变质了，不能喝了”。
文章中明确提到“牛奶变质了，不能喝了”。
根据短文，作者遇到的问题是什么？
Read this passage:
昨天买的面包今天就变质了，我还没吃呢！我下次要买新鲜的。
根据短文，作者遇到的问题是什么？
短文指出“昨天买的面包今天就变质了”。
短文指出“昨天买的面包今天就变质了”。
夏天食物容易变质，我们应该怎么做？
Read this passage:
夏天的时候，食物很容易变质。所以我们要把食物放在冰箱里。
夏天食物容易变质，我们应该怎么做？
短文建议“要把食物放在冰箱里”以防止变质。
短文建议“要把食物放在冰箱里”以防止变质。
冰箱坏了以后，里面的肉很快就___了。
Context indicates spoilage due to a broken refrigerator. '变质' means to spoil or go bad, which fits perfectly. '变味' (to change taste) is a consequence of spoilage but not the act itself.
这盒牛奶看起来很新鲜，但闻起来有点___，我不敢喝。
An unusual smell suggests the milk has gone bad. '变质' means to go bad, which aligns with the context of an unpleasant smell despite a fresh appearance.
夏天的天气很热，食物很容易___，所以一定要及时放入冰箱。
Hot weather accelerates food spoilage. '变质' describes this process.
那块面包已经发霉了，显然已经___了，不能再吃了。
Mold is a clear sign that food has spoiled. '变质' is the appropriate term for food going bad.
如果你发现食物颜色不对劲，或者有异味，那很可能它已经___了。
Changes in color and odor are indicators of food spoilage. '变质' encompasses these signs.
为了防止水果___，我们通常会把它们放在阴凉处或冰箱里。
Storing fruits in cool places or refrigerators helps prevent them from spoiling. '变质' refers to this spoilage.
This sentence asks if the milk in the fridge has already gone bad. '冰箱里' (in the fridge) comes first, followed by the possessive particle '的' and '牛奶' (milk). Then '已经' (already) and the verb '变质了' (has gone bad), ending with the question particle '吗'.
This sentence explains that the fruit will spoil quickly because the weather is too hot. '因为' (because) starts the sentence, followed by the reason '天气太热' (the weather is too hot). Then '这些水果' (these fruits) is the subject, with '很快' (quickly) and '就' (then) leading to '会变质' (will spoil).
This sentence advises not to eat spoiled food. '如果' (if) introduces the condition '食物变质了' (the food has spoiled). '千万' (by all means) emphasizes '不要吃它' (do not eat it).
冰箱里放了三天的剩饭已经____了，最好别吃了。
“变质”指食物腐败变坏，与“不能吃”的语境相符。
夏天气温高，肉类容易____，所以要尽快食用或冷藏。
在高温下，肉类会腐败变坏，用“变质”表示最准确。
如果面团闻起来有酸味，那可能已经____了，不能再用来做面包。
有酸味说明食物已经腐坏，所以用“变质”。
这瓶果汁开封后没有及时放进冰箱，结果没两天就____了。
果汁没有及时冷藏会腐坏，用“变质”表示。
尽管外观看起来没什么异常，但闻起来有异味就说明食物已经开始____了。
有异味是食物变坏的迹象，所以用“变质”。
购买食物时，要留意保质期，以免买到已经____的商品。
虽然“变质”和“过期”常同时出现，但这里是说商品“超过了保质期”，所以“过期”更准确。食物过期后往往会变质。
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
예시
这牛奶已经变质了，不能喝了。
관련 콘텐츠
관련 문법 규칙
food 관련 단어
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
