A2 verb Neutral 1 min read

腐烂

fulan /fǔ làn/
Practice it

Fǔ làn means to rot or spoil, referring to the decomposition of organic matter or the decay of abstract things.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Describes organic matter breaking down.
  • Can also mean decay or ruin in abstract contexts.
  • Commonly used for spoiled food or dead plants.

Overview

腐烂是一个描述物质分解过程的动词，通常与有机物的变质有关。当食物变质、植物枯萎死亡时，我们就可以说它们“腐烂”了。这个词语在日常生活中非常常见，用来形容不新鲜、变质的物品，也可以引申用来形容事物走向衰败、失败的状态。

作为动词，腐烂可以直接跟名词，表示“某物腐烂”。例如，“水果腐烂了”，“木头腐烂了”。它也可以与“得”连用，构成“腐烂得…”的结构，用来形容腐烂的程度。例如，“这个苹果已经腐烂得不成样子了”。此外，它还可以用作比喻义，描述抽象事物的衰败，如“计划泡汤了”、“关系破裂了”。

在日常生活中，腐烂常用于描述食物变质（“冰箱里的蔬菜都腐烂了”），垃圾堆积（“垃圾堆积如山，开始腐烂”），或者植物死亡（“秋天落叶腐烂，滋养土壤”）。在更抽象的语境中，它可以形容计划失败（“他的创业计划最终腐烂了”），或者道德败坏（“社会的腐烂现象令人担忧”）。

与“腐烂”相似的词语有“发霉”（fā méi）和“变质”（biàn zhì）。“发霉”特指在潮湿环境下，有机物表面出现霉菌，通常带有异味，是腐烂的一种表现形式，但更侧重于霉菌的生长。“变质”是一个更广泛的词，指食物或其他物质的性质发生变化，不再适合食用或使用，腐烂是变质的一种具体且严重的表现。例如，牛奶过期了是“变质”了，但通常不会说它“腐烂”了，除非它已经分解到非常糟糕的地步。

Examples

1

这些苹果放了几天就腐烂了。

everyday

These apples rotted after a few days.

2

长期忽视会使美好的关系走向腐烂。

formal

Long-term neglect can lead to the decay of a beautiful relationship.

3

这块面包都发霉腐烂了，不能吃了。

informal

This piece of bread has molded and rotted, it can't be eaten.

4

环境污染导致森林资源加速腐烂。

academic

Environmental pollution causes forest resources to rot at an accelerated rate.

Common Collocations

食物腐烂 Food rots
木头腐烂 Wood rots
计划腐烂 Plan decays/fails

Common Phrases

好心办坏事

Good intentions lead to bad results (can imply something 'rotting' due to bad handling)

烂摊子

A mess; a difficult situation (literally 'rotten mess')

Often Confused With

腐烂 vs 发霉

'Fā méi' specifically refers to the growth of mold on the surface of organic matter, often accompanied by a musty smell. 'Fǔ làn' is a broader term for decomposition and decay, which may or may not involve visible mold.

腐烂 vs 变质

'Biàn zhì' means to spoil or deteriorate in quality, and it's a general term. 'Fǔ làn' describes a more advanced stage of deterioration where the substance breaks down significantly.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + 腐烂 (e.g., 水果腐烂了 - The fruit rotted.) 腐烂 + 得 + Adjective/Adverbial Phrase (e.g., 烂得不成样子 - Rotten beyond recognition.) Subject + 腐烂 (used metaphorically, e.g., 制度腐烂 - The system decayed.)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word 'fǔ làn' generally carries a negative connotation. It is used literally for organic matter decay and figuratively for the decline or failure of abstract concepts. Be mindful of the context to understand whether it's literal or metaphorical.

Common Mistakes

Learners might overuse 'fǔ làn' for things that are just old or slightly deteriorated. It implies a significant level of decay or spoilage. Also, ensure you distinguish its literal meaning from its metaphorical use.

Tips

💡

Think Decomposition and Decay

Remember 'fǔ làn' for things breaking down, whether it's food, plants, or even abstract concepts like plans.

⚠️

Avoid Using for Freshness

Do not use 'fǔ làn' to describe something that is simply old but not yet spoiled. It implies significant decay.

🌍

Nature's Cycle

In Chinese culture, the concept of decay and renewal is natural. 'Fǔ làn' is part of this cycle, where decomposition nourishes new life.

Word Origin

The character '腐' (fǔ) originally depicted something decaying or rotten. The character '烂' (làn) means rotten or mushy. Together, '腐烂' strongly emphasizes the process of decomposition and decay.

Cultural Context

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of decay ('fǔ') is sometimes associated with imbalances in the body. However, in general usage, 'fǔ làn' simply describes a natural process of decomposition.

Memory Tip

Imagine a piece of fruit ('fruit' sounds a bit like 'fǔ') left out too long until it becomes rotten ('làn' sounds like 'lame' - the fruit is lame and broken).

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

腐烂通常指有机物因微生物作用而分解，变得面目全非，气味难闻。变质是一个更宽泛的概念，指物质的性质发生改变，不再适合使用。腐烂是变质的一种严重形式。

一般不直接用“腐烂”形容人，但可以形容人的精神状态或道德品质的败坏，例如“精神腐烂”或“思想腐烂”，这是一种比喻用法。

是的，“腐烂”常用于比喻，形容事物（如计划、制度、关系）的衰败、瓦解或灭亡，带有负面含义。

发霉是腐烂过程中的一种现象，指表面出现霉菌。很多腐烂的食物都会发霉，但并非所有发霉的食物都达到了“腐烂”的程度，也并非所有腐烂都是由发霉引起的。

Test Yourself

fill blank

冰箱里的蔬菜放太久，已经开始______了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

蔬菜放太久会变质、分解，所以用“腐烂”最合适。

multiple choice

这个陈旧的制度已经______，急需改革。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: b

用“腐烂”来形容陈旧且不好的制度，表示其衰败、弊端丛生。

sentence building

请将以下词语组成一个句子：腐烂，水果，已经，了

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: c

“水果已经腐烂了”是符合中文语法的正确句子结构。

Score: /3

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

rot German 朽ちる Japanese
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