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B2 noun #6,000 mais comum 9 min de leitura

腐敗

fuhai Top 6,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 腐敗 em 30 segundos

Explicação 腐敗 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'fuhai.' It is a difficult word. However, you might know the kanji for 'rot' from the word 'tofu' (豆腐). Just remember that 'fuhai' means something is 'going bad' like old food. In English, we say 'The food is bad.' In Japanese, scientists say 'The food is in a state of fuhai.' It's like a super-formal way to say 'rotten.' You can mostly ignore this word for now and focus on 'kusaru' (to rot).

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At A2, you might see 'fuhai' in simple news headlines or on food packaging warning labels. It's a noun. If you see 'fuhai-boushi' (腐敗防止), it means 'preventing rot.' You should understand that this word is more formal than 'kusaru.' If you are talking about a big problem in a company, you might use 'fuhai.' It's a step up from basic vocabulary and helps you sound more serious when talking about problems.

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By B1, you should be able to recognize 'fuhai' in daily news broadcasts. You'll hear it when the news talks about politicians taking money they shouldn't. This is called 'political corruption' or 'seiji no fuhai.' You should also know the difference between 'fuhai' (bad rotting) and 'hakko' (good fermentation). You can start using 'fuhai-suru' as a verb in your writing to describe things that are breaking down or becoming dishonest.

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At the B2 level, 'fuhai' is an essential word for discussing social issues and biology. You should use it fluently in essays to describe 'systemic corruption.' You should understand collocations like 'fuhai no onsho' (a hotbed of corruption). In IELTS or JLPT N2 prep, this word is a 'power word'—using it correctly shows you have a sophisticated vocabulary. You can distinguish it from 'oshoku' (specific bribery) and 'daraku' (moral fall).

At C1, you use 'fuhai' to discuss complex historical and philosophical concepts. You might talk about the 'spiritual corruption' (seishinteki fuhai) of an era or the 'fuhai' of language itself. You understand the kanji nuances deeply. You can use the word in academic papers to describe the nitrogen cycle or the breakdown of organic compounds in an ecosystem. You are also aware of the cultural weight the word carries in Japanese political discourse.

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At C2, you have a native-like grasp of 'fuhai.' You can use it in high-level literary analysis, perhaps discussing how a character's internal 'fuhai' is mirrored by the decaying setting of a novel. You can debate the fine lines between 'fuhai,' 'daraku,' and 'taihei' (decadence). You understand the legal implications of the term in corporate governance and international law. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a tool for precise, nuanced expression.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

腐敗 em 30 segundos

Fuhai means 'rotting' or 'corruption.' It is used for both food and politics.
It is a formal word (B2 level), often found in news and science.
As a verb (fuhai-suru), it means to decay or become corrupt.
Commonly paired with 'politics,' 'food,' and 'organization' to show decay.

The Japanese word 腐敗 (ふはい - fuhai) is a sophisticated noun that bridges the gap between the physical world of biology and the abstract world of socio-politics. At its core, it describes the process of breaking down, but the context determines whether you are talking about a forgotten orange in the back of the refrigerator or a government official taking bribes. Understanding this word requires a grasp of its two primary dimensions. In a biological sense, it refers to the decomposition of organic matter caused by bacteria or fungi. This is the literal 'rotting' or 'putrefaction.' However, in the realm of social science, IELTS-style academic discussions, and daily news, it takes on a much more frequent role: describing the 'corruption' or 'moral decay' of an institution or individual in power.

Biological Context: This refers to the chemical breakdown of proteins and organic substances. You will see this on food labels, in science textbooks, and in discussions about waste management. It is often used with the verb 'suru' to mean 'to rot.' For example, 'The meat has started to rot' would use this term to indicate a dangerous level of bacterial activity.
Sociopolitical Context: This is the most common usage in newspapers (Yomiuri, Asahi) and academic essays. It describes the 'dishonest or fraudulent conduct' by those in power, typically involving bribery, embezzlement, or the general erosion of ethical standards within a system. It is a heavy word, carrying a strong sense of moral condemnation.

その政治家は腐敗した体制を正そうとした。
(That politician tried to correct the corrupted system.)

In a broader philosophical sense, fuhai can also describe the 'spiritual decay' of a person or a society. If someone loses their values or becomes lazy and decadent, a writer might use this word to emphasize the internal 'rotting' of their character. This makes it a powerful tool for literary analysis and deep conversation. Unlike the simpler verb 'kusaru' (to rot), which is often used colloquially or for food, fuhai sounds formal, objective, and systemic. When you use fuhai, you are not just saying something smells bad; you are making a diagnosis of a state of decline.

高温多湿の環境では、食べ物の腐敗が早まる。
(In hot and humid environments, the decomposition of food accelerates.)

Synonym Nuance: 汚職 (Oshoku): While 'fuhai' describes the state of being corrupt, 'oshoku' specifically refers to the act of corruption by public officials (like taking bribes). You use 'fuhai' for the whole system and 'oshoku' for the specific crime.

Culturally, Japan has a complex relationship with this word. In the post-bubble economy era, 'seiji-fuhai' (political corruption) became a buzzword in the media. It evokes a sense of disappointment in institutions that were once trusted. Therefore, using this word carries a weight of seriousness and gravity. It is not a word for lighthearted banter; it is a word for news anchors, activists, and scientists.

Mastering 腐敗 (fuhai) requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a 'Suru-verb' (noun that becomes a verb). You can use it as a standalone noun or append suru to describe the action of decaying or becoming corrupt. Because it is a B2-level word, the surrounding grammar is often formal, involving passive structures or causative forms in academic writing.

Pattern 1: [Noun] + の + 腐敗: This is the simplest way to show ownership of the decay. Example: 政治の腐敗 (Corruption of politics), 食品の腐敗 (Decomposition of food). It functions as a subject or an object in this form.
Pattern 2: [Noun] + が + 腐敗する: This is the active form. Example: 組織が腐敗する (The organization becomes corrupt). Note that in Japanese, the 'action' of becoming corrupt is treated as a process that the subject undergoes.

権力は腐敗し、絶対的な権力は絶対に腐敗する。
(Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.)

When discussing biological decomposition, you will often find fuhai paired with words related to prevention, like 腐敗防止 (prevention of rot) or 腐敗を遅らせる (to delay decomposition). In legal or political contexts, you will see it paired with words like 腐敗の温床 (a hotbed of corruption) or 腐敗を暴く (to expose corruption). These collocations are essential for sounding natural at a B2/C1 level.

警察内部の腐敗が次々と明らかになった。
(The corruption within the police force was revealed one after another.)

Advanced Usage: Adjectival Form: To describe something as 'corrupt,' use the past tense of the verb: 腐敗した (fuhai shita). Example: 腐敗した社会 (a corrupt society). This acts as a powerful modifier for nouns.

Finally, consider the nuances of 'fuhai' in scientific reporting. It is often distinguished from 'hakko' (fermentation). While both involve microbial breakdown, 'fuhai' is the undesirable, smelly, or harmful version, whereas 'hakko' is the beneficial version used to make sake or kimchi. If you mix these up, you might accidentally say that your delicious fermented pickles are actually rotting garbage!

You are most likely to encounter 腐敗 (fuhai) in four specific environments: the evening news, university lecture halls, historical documentaries, and high-stakes political dramas. It is a word that signals 'seriousness.' You won't hear it much at a casual izakaya unless someone is having an intense debate about the state of the nation. In the media, it is the go-to term for international scandals. For instance, when reporting on global corruption indices, Japanese news anchors will use fuhai ninshiki shisu (Corruption Perceptions Index).

この国の将来は、政治の腐敗をどこまで抑えられるかにかかっている。
(The future of this country depends on how much political corruption can be suppressed.)

In a classroom setting, specifically in biology or environmental science, fuhai is used to describe the nitrogen cycle or the role of decomposers in an ecosystem. Teachers will explain how bacteria facilitate the fuhai of fallen leaves to return nutrients to the soil. This scientific usage is neutral and purely descriptive, lacking the moral weight of the political usage. It is important for learners to recognize that the word itself isn't 'bad'—it's just a process that can be either natural or criminal depending on the context.

Domain: Public Health: Health inspectors use this word when discussing food safety standards. If a restaurant is shut down, the report might cite 'shokuhin no fuhai' as the reason, indicating that the food served was decomposed and unsafe for consumption.

Lastly, in historical contexts, fuhai is used to analyze the fall of dynasties or empires. Historians might argue that the 'internal corruption' (naibu no fuhai) of the Roman Empire or the Edo Shogunate was the primary cause of their eventual collapse. This long-term perspective shows how the word is used to describe a slow, inevitable process of weakening from within. When you hear this word, think of something that was once strong and whole now breaking into pieces.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 腐敗 (fuhai) is using it for simple, everyday 'rotting.' While technically correct, it sounds overly dramatic and scientific. If you tell a friend, 'My banana has undergone fuhai,' they will look at you like a robot. In casual conversation, the verb 腐る (kusaru) is much more natural. Fuhai is for the news; kusaru is for the kitchen.

Mistake 1: Confusing Fuhai with Oshoku: Learners often say 'The politician committed fuhai.' This is slightly off. You should say 'The politician was involved in an oshoku (bribery/corruption case)' or 'The politician represents the fuhai (general state of corruption) of the party.' Fuhai is the condition; oshoku is the act.
Mistake 2: Mixing Fuhai and Hakko: As mentioned before, never use 'fuhai' for fermentation. Fermentation is 'hakko' (発酵). Calling cheese 'fuhai-shita milk' is technically true in a chemical sense but would be very unappetizing to a Japanese speaker!

❌ このリンゴは腐敗している。
✅ このリンゴは腐っている。
(The second one is more natural for daily life.)

Another mistake involves the 'scale' of the word. Fuhai usually implies a widespread or deep-seated problem. Using it for a minor mistake or a small, singular error is an exaggeration. It suggests a systemic failure. If a clerk makes a mistake, it's not fuhai. If the entire management team is hiding millions of dollars, *that* is fuhai.

Finally, watch out for the kanji. The first character 腐 is also used in tofu (豆腐). This is a common point of confusion for beginners. Tofu literally means 'bean rot,' but in modern Japanese, it's just the name of the food. Don't let the 'rot' kanji in tofu make you think the food is actually 'fuhai'!

Because 腐敗 (fuhai) is a high-level word, there are several synonyms that overlap in meaning but differ in register and specific application. Knowing when to choose one over the other is the hallmark of a B2/C1 learner. Below is a comparison of common alternatives.

汚職 (Oshoku): Specific to bribery and crimes committed by public officials. It is more legalistic than 'fuhai.' You will see 'oshoku jiken' (corruption case) in the news constantly.
堕落 (Daraku): Means 'degradation' or 'depravity.' While 'fuhai' is often systemic, 'daraku' is more personal and moral. A student who stops studying and starts gambling might be called 'daraku-shita' (fallen/degraded).
劣化 (Rekka): Means 'deterioration.' This is used for materials like rubber, plastic, or digital files. It lacks the 'biological' or 'moral' connotation of 'fuhai.' You wouldn't say a politician has 'rekka' unless you were joking about their cognitive abilities.

組織の腐敗は、個人の堕落から始まる。
(The corruption of an organization begins with the depravity of the individual.)

In a scientific context, another alternative is 分解 (bunkai), which means 'decomposition' or 'disassembly.' While fuhai specifically implies rotting and bad smells, bunkai is the general term for breaking things down into their parts. A scientist might say 'The bacteria bunkai the organic matter,' which is more technical and less 'stinky' than saying they 'fuhai' it.

Finally, for those interested in slang, there is 腐る (kusaru). While we warned against using fuhai for food, kusaru is used metaphorically for people too, but in a much more aggressive, informal way. 'Kusatteru' can mean someone is 'rotten' or even just 'depressed/sulking' in certain contexts. Use fuhai for your thesis, but kusaru when complaining about your boss to your best friend.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The kanji '腐' contains the radical for 'meat' (肉) and 'storehouse' (府), implying meat that has gone bad while being stored too long.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /fuːhaɪ/

US /fuːhaɪ/

Heiban (Flat) pitch accent. The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rima com

不快 (Fukai) 都会 (Tokai) 破壊 (Hakai) 正解 (Seikai) 世界 (Sekai) 以外 (Igai) 被害 (Higai) 司会 (Shikai)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'fu' like the English 'few' (it should be more like 'food' but shorter).
Over-stressing the second syllable 'hai' like a question.
Confusing the pitch with 'fukai' (deep).
Pronouncing 'h' too weakly.
Making the 'ai' sound like 'ay' as in 'pay'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 4/5

Kanji is complex but common in news.

Escrita 4/5

Requires remembering the 'storehouse' and 'meat' components.

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronunciation is easy, but usage context is tricky.

Audição 3/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out in news broadcasts.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

腐る政治食品防止原因

Aprenda a seguir

汚職堕落隠蔽透明性既得権益

Avançado

嫌気性分解収賄背任罪新陳代謝形骸化

Gramática essencial

Suru-verbs

腐敗する (to rot/corrupt)

Noun modification with 'shita'

腐敗した政治家 (corrupt politician)

Causative 'saseru'

熱が腐敗を進行させた (heat caused the rot to progress)

Passive 'sareru'

腐敗が暴かれた (corruption was exposed)

Compound Nouns

腐敗防止 (corruption prevention)

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Exemplos por nível

これは腐敗したリンゴです。

This is a rotten apple.

Simple noun-modifying form 'fuhai shita'.

腐敗は悪いです。

Corruption is bad.

Basic A wa B desu structure.

食べ物が腐敗します。

Food rots.

Present tense verb 'fuhai shimasu'.

腐敗を知っていますか？

Do you know (the word) corruption?

Direct object with 'wo'.

豆腐の「腐」は腐敗の「腐」です。

The 'fu' in tofu is the 'fu' in corruption.

Explaining kanji origins.

腐敗した肉を食べないでください。

Please do not eat rotten meat.

Negative request 'naide kudasai'.

夏は腐敗が早いです。

In summer, rotting is fast.

Time-based subject.

腐敗はストップ！

Stop corruption!

Slogan style.

冷蔵庫がないと、肉はすぐに腐敗する。

Without a refrigerator, meat rots quickly.

Conditional 'to' for natural consequences.

政治の腐敗は大きな問題です。

Political corruption is a big problem.

Noun phrase 'A no B'.

この薬は腐敗を防ぎます。

This medicine prevents decomposition.

Transitive action 'wo fusegu'.

腐敗した政治家は辞めるべきだ。

Corrupt politicians should resign.

Modal 'beki da' (should).

古い建物の中で腐敗の臭いがした。

There was a smell of rot inside the old building.

Sensory phrase 'no nioi ga shita'.

腐敗の原因は細菌です。

The cause of decomposition is bacteria.

Identifying a cause.

警察は腐敗を許さない。

The police do not tolerate corruption.

Negative verb 'yurusanai'.

腐敗した社会を変えたい。

I want to change a corrupt society.

Desire form 'tai'.

そのニュースは政府の腐敗を詳しく報じた。

The news reported on the government's corruption in detail.

Adverbial 'kuwashiku' modifying the verb.

湿気が多いと、木材の腐敗が進みやすくなる。

When it's humid, the decay of wood tends to progress.

Compound verb 'susumi-yasuku naru'.

彼は腐敗した組織から抜け出した。

He escaped from the corrupt organization.

Ablative 'kara' (from).

腐敗防止のために、新しい法律が作られた。

A new law was created to prevent corruption.

Purpose 'no tame ni' with passive 'tsukurareta'.

精神の腐敗は、外見からは分からない。

Spiritual decay cannot be seen from the outside.

Contrastive 'wa' with potential negative 'wakaranai'.

腐敗した水を飲むのは危険だ。

Drinking stagnant/rotten water is dangerous.

Nominalizing 'no wa' (the act of...).

このドラマのテーマは権力の腐敗だ。

The theme of this drama is the corruption of power.

Defining a theme.

腐敗をなくすには、透明性が必要だ。

Transparency is necessary to eliminate corruption.

Conditional 'ni wa' (in order to...).

長年の独裁政権により、政治の腐敗が深刻化している。

Due to years of dictatorship, political corruption is becoming serious.

Cause 'ni yori' and 'shinkokuka' (becoming serious).

有機物が腐敗する過程で、ガスが発生する。

During the process of organic matter decomposing, gas is generated.

Process noun 'katei' and passive 'hassei suru'.

そのスキャンダルは、企業の腐敗を白日の下にさらした。

The scandal exposed the company's corruption to the light of day.

Idiom 'hakujitsu no moto ni sarasu'.

腐敗した官僚制度を改革するのは容易ではない。

Reforming a corrupt bureaucratic system is not easy.

Formal negative 'youi dewa nai'.

彼は腐敗の温床となっている部署を特定した。

He identified the department that had become a hotbed of corruption.

Metaphorical 'onsho' (hotbed).

選挙制度の不備が、政治腐敗を招いている。

Flaws in the election system are inviting political corruption.

Causative-like 'maneite iru' (inviting/leading to).

リンゴ一個の腐敗が、箱全体のリンゴをダメにする。

The rot of one apple ruins the whole box of apples.

Proverbial usage.

腐敗に手を染めた者は、厳しく罰せられるべきだ。

Those who have dabbled in corruption should be punished severely.

Relative clause and passive 'basse-rareru'.

社会の腐敗を食い止めるためには、市民の監視が不可欠である。

Citizen oversight is essential to halt the corruption of society.

Formal 'fukaketsu' (indispensable) and 'kuitomeru' (to halt).

権力の集中は、必然的に組織の腐敗を招く傾向がある。

Concentration of power tends to inevitably lead to organizational corruption.

Adverbial 'hitsuzenteki ni' (inevitably).

その哲学者によれば、文明の進歩は道徳の腐敗と表裏一体だという。

According to that philosopher, the progress of civilization is two sides of the same coin as moral decay.

Reporting 'ni yoreba... da to iu'.

腐敗した既得権益を打破することが、この国の急務だ。

Breaking down corrupt vested interests is an urgent task for this country.

Compound noun 'kitoku-ken'eki' (vested interests).

死骸の腐敗に伴い、特有の異臭が周囲に漂った。

Along with the decomposition of the carcass, a peculiar foul odor drifted around.

Formal 'ni tomonai' (accompanying).

彼は腐敗した体制に抗う孤独な闘いを続けている。

He continues a lonely fight against the corrupt regime.

Verb 'aragau' (to resist/oppose).

法の支配が及ばない地域では、腐敗が蔓延しやすい。

In regions where the rule of law does not reach, corruption tends to spread.

Verb 'man'en suru' (to spread/rampant).

内部告発によって、長年隠蔽されてきた腐敗が露呈した。

The internal whistleblowing exposed the corruption that had been concealed for years.

Passive 'rotei shita' (was exposed).

絶対王政の末期には、宮廷内での腐敗と退廃が極致に達していた。

At the end of the absolute monarchy, corruption and decadence within the court reached their peak.

Nouns 'taihei' (decadence) and 'kyokuchi' (peak).

言語の腐敗は、思考の単純化と密接に関係している。

The corruption of language is closely related to the simplification of thought.

Abstract usage of 'fuhai'.

制度的な腐敗を根絶するには、単なる法整備以上の抜本的な改革を要する。

Eradicating systemic corruption requires fundamental reforms beyond mere legal adjustments.

Formal 'konzetsu' (eradication) and 'yousuru' (to require).

歴史の歯車が狂う時、そこには常に指導層の精神的腐敗がある。

When the gears of history go awry, there is always spiritual corruption among the leadership.

Metaphorical 'haguruma' (gears).

腐敗した官僚機構は、自己保存のために情報を隠匿する習性を持つ。

Corrupt bureaucratic apparatuses have a habit of concealing information for self-preservation.

Noun 'kikou' (apparatus/mechanism) and 'intoku' (concealment).

その作家は、都会の喧騒の裏に潜む人間性の腐敗を鋭く描き出した。

The author sharply depicted the corruption of humanity lurking behind the bustle of the city.

Verb 'egakidashita' (depicted/sketched out).

社会契約が崩壊する兆候として、公権力の腐敗が挙げられる。

The corruption of public power is cited as a sign of the collapse of the social contract.

Academic term 'shakai-keiyaku' (social contract).

微生物による腐敗という自然現象を、我々は文明によって制御してきた。

We have controlled the natural phenomenon of microbial decomposition through civilization.

Complex noun phrase with 'ni yoru' and 'shite-kita'.

Sinônimos

汚職堕落腐る壊死退廃

Antônimos

清廉健全

Colocações comuns

政治腐敗

食品の腐敗

腐敗防止

腐敗の温床

精神の腐敗

腐敗を暴く

腐敗が進む

腐敗した体制

腐敗認識指数

腐敗臭

Frases Comuns

腐敗に手を染める

— To become involved in corruption or dirty dealings.

彼はついに腐敗に手を染めてしまった。

腐敗を根絶する

— To completely eradicate corruption from a system.

政府は腐敗を根絶すると約束した。

腐敗が蔓延する

— Corruption is spreading or becoming rampant.

その国では汚職と腐敗が蔓延している。

腐敗を許さない

— To have zero tolerance for corruption.

私たちは腐敗を許さない社会を目指す。

腐敗の兆候

— Signs or symptoms of corruption/decay.

組織の中に腐敗の兆候が見られる。

腐敗したリンゴ

— A metaphor for one bad person ruining a group.

彼はチームにとっての腐敗したリンゴだ。

腐敗を招く

— To invite or cause corruption.

秘密主義は腐敗を招きやすい。

腐敗と闘う

— To fight against corruption.

彼は一生を腐敗と闘うことに捧げた。

腐敗が露呈する

— Corruption comes to light or is exposed.

監査によって腐敗が露呈した。

腐敗の連鎖

— A chain or cycle of corruption.

腐敗の連鎖を断ち切る必要がある。

Frequentemente confundido com

腐敗 vs 発酵 (Hakko)

Hakko is beneficial (fermentation); Fuhai is harmful (rotting).

腐敗 vs 汚職 (Oshoku)

Oshoku is the specific act of bribery; Fuhai is the general state of corruption.

腐敗 vs 劣化 (Rekka)

Rekka is for physical materials; Fuhai is for organic or social systems.

Expressões idiomáticas

"権力は腐敗する"

— Power tends to corrupt; a common proverb.

歴史が示す通り、権力は腐敗するものである。

Academic

"根底から腐敗する"

— To be rotten to the core; corrupted from the very foundation.

その政党は根底から腐敗している。

Formal

"腐敗の泥沼"

— A quagmire of corruption; a situation hard to escape.

彼は腐敗の泥沼に足を踏み入れた。

Literary

"腐敗を肥やしにする"

— To feed off corruption; to gain from a bad system.

悪徳業者は腐敗を肥やしにしている。

Metaphorical

"腐敗の芽を摘む"

— To nip corruption in the bud; stop it before it grows.

初期段階で腐敗の芽を摘まなければならない。

Formal

"腐敗した空気が漂う"

— An atmosphere of corruption/decay is present.

その会社には腐敗した空気が漂っていた。

Literary

"腐敗の影"

— The shadow of corruption; a hint of something wrong.

成功の裏には常に腐敗の影があった。

Literary

"腐敗の牙城"

— A stronghold of corruption.

そこは長年、腐敗の牙城とされてきた。

Formal

"腐敗を浄化する"

— To purify or clean up corruption.

新しいリーダーは組織の腐敗を浄化しようとした。

Formal

"腐敗の毒"

— The poison of corruption; its harmful effects.

腐敗の毒が社会全体に回っている。

Literary

Fácil de confundir

腐敗 vs 腐る (Kusaru)

Both mean 'to rot'.

Kusaru is a general verb for daily use; Fuhai is a formal noun/verb for science and politics.

リンゴが腐った (casual) vs 食品が腐敗した (formal).

腐敗 vs 分解 (Bunkai)

Both involve breaking down.

Bunkai is a neutral chemical/mechanical process; Fuhai implies foulness and decay.

プラスチックを分解する vs 有機物が腐敗する.

腐敗 vs 堕落 (Daraku)

Both mean going bad morally.

Daraku is usually about an individual's lifestyle; Fuhai is about a system or a whole organization.

彼は堕落した生活を送っている vs 政治が腐敗している.

腐敗 vs 衰退 (Suitai)

Both mean a decline.

Suitai is a general weakening or shrinking; Fuhai is a moral or biological rotting from within.

産業の衰退 vs 組織の腐敗.

腐敗 vs 不敗 (Fuhai)

Same pronunciation (fuhai).

不敗 (unbeaten/invincible) vs 腐敗 (corruption/rot). Check kanji context!

常勝不敗のチーム vs 政治の腐敗.

Padrões de frases

AはBの腐敗を[verb]。

警察は組織の腐敗を調査した。

[Noun]が腐敗するのを防ぐために、〜。

食品が腐敗するのを防ぐために、塩漬けにする。

腐敗した[Noun]は、〜。

腐敗した権力は、国民の信頼を失う。

〜は腐敗の温床となりかねない。

不透明な会計は、腐敗の温床となりかねない。

腐敗を食い止めるべく、〜。

腐敗を食い止めるべく、新たな監視委員会が設置された。

〜に伴う精神的腐敗。

富の偏在に伴う精神的腐敗が懸念される。

〜という腐敗の連鎖。

賄賂が当たり前になるという腐敗の連鎖を断つ。

〜における腐敗認識指数。

アジア諸国における腐敗認識指数を比較する。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

腐敗 (Corruption/Rot)

腐敗物 (Rotten matter)

腐敗菌 (Putrefactive bacteria)

Verbos

腐敗する (To rot/become corrupt)

腐る (To rot - casual)

腐らせる (To let rot)

Adjetivos

腐敗した (Corrupt/Rotten)

腐りやすい (Perishable/Easy to rot)

Relacionado

汚職

堕落

発酵

分解

劣化

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Como usar

frequency

High in news and academic writing; low in casual speech.

Erros comuns

政治家が腐敗した。 → 政治家が汚職に手を染めた。/ 政治が腐敗した。
While individuals can be 'fuhai-shita,' it usually refers to the system. For a specific act, use 'oshoku.'
チーズは腐敗した牛乳です。 → チーズは発酵した牛乳です。
Cheese is fermented (hakko), not rotten (fuhai).
私のパソコンが腐敗した。 → 私のパソコンが故障した。/ データが劣化した。
Fuhai is only for organic or social systems, not machines.
この肉は腐敗そうです。 → この肉は腐っていそうです。
Grammatically, 'fuhai-shisou' is rare. 'Kusatte-isou' is more natural for appearance.
腐敗を食べる。 → 腐敗したものを食べる。
Fuhai is a noun (the state of rot). You eat 'rotten things,' not 'the rot' itself.

Dicas

Remembering the Kanji

The kanji 腐 has 'meat' (肉) inside a 'government office' (府). Imagine meat left in a government office getting rotten—it covers both meanings of the word!

Global Issues

When talking about the UN or international aid, 'fuhai' is the standard word for corruption. Use it in formal debates.

Biology Class

In science, 'fuhai' is specifically the breakdown of proteins. If it's carbohydrates, it's 'hakko' (fermentation). This distinction is key.

Headline Reading

Look for 腐敗 in headlines. If it's followed by a country name, it's about politics. If it's followed by a food name, it's about a recall.

Fuhai vs Daraku

If a system is broken, use 'fuhai.' If a person's morals are gone, use 'daraku.' Systems 'rot,' people 'fall.'

Level Up

Using 'fuhai' instead of 'warui' (bad) or 'kitanai' (dirty) when talking about politics will immediately raise your perceived Japanese level.

Food Safety

In Japan, 'fuhai' is a serious word on food safety exams. It implies the presence of pathogens.

Historical Context

When studying the Edo period, 'fuhai' is often used to describe the late Shogunate's loss of control.

Audio Cues

Listen for the 'fu' sound. It's short. Don't confuse it with 'fuhai' (invincibility), which is usually obvious from context.

Suru-Verb Usage

Remember that 'fuhai-suru' is intransitive. The food rots itself; you don't rot the food (use 'kusaraseru').

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Fu' as 'Food' and 'Hai' as 'High' (temperature). When Food is in High heat, it undergoes 'Fuhai' (rot).

Associação visual

Imagine a politician holding a piece of green, smelly meat. The meat is his soul, and it is 'fuhai.'

Word Web

Food Bacteria Smell Politics Bribes System Decay History

Desafio

Try to find one news article today in Japanese that uses '腐敗' and determine if it is talking about biology or politics.

Origem da palavra

Borrowed from Middle Chinese. The compound consists of '腐' (rot) and '敗' (failure/decay).

Significado original: The decomposition of meat or organic matter leading to failure or loss of use.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

Calling a specific person 'fuhai-shita' is a very strong, almost 'villainous' accusation. Use with caution.

In English, we often use 'corruption' for politics and 'rot' for food. Japanese uses 'fuhai' for both, which can feel more 'scientific' to English learners.

Lord Acton's quote: 'Power tends to corrupt' is often translated using 'fuhai'. Hanzawa Naoki: A famous drama about fighting bank/corporate corruption. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is widely cited in Japanese news.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Politics

政治腐敗を正す
汚職と腐敗
権力の腐敗
腐敗した政権

Food Safety

腐敗を防ぐ
腐敗臭がする
腐敗した食品
腐敗の進行

Biology

有機物の腐敗
腐敗菌の働き
タンパク質の腐敗
腐敗と発酵

Corporate

組織の腐敗
内部腐敗を暴く
腐敗した企業文化
腐敗の温床

Social Issues

道徳の腐敗
社会の腐敗
精神的な腐敗
腐敗を食い止める

Iniciadores de conversa

"最近のニュースで、政治の腐敗についてどう思いますか？"

"食品の腐敗を防ぐために、どのような工夫をしていますか？"

"「権力は腐敗する」という言葉について、どう考えますか？"

"あなたの国では、政治腐敗は大きな問題になっていますか？"

"組織の腐敗を防ぐには、何が一番大切だと思いますか？"

Temas para diário

政治の腐敗が社会に与える影響について、あなたの意見を書きなさい。

「腐敗」と「発酵」の違いを、生物学的・哲学的な視点から考察しなさい。

もしあなたが組織の腐敗を見つけたら、どのように行動しますか？

歴史上の帝国が腐敗によって滅びた例を一つ挙げ、説明しなさい。

現代社会において「精神の腐敗」を感じる瞬間はありますか？

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is possible but very dramatic and literary. 'Kankei ga fuhai shite-iru' sounds like a line from a dark novel. Usually, people use 'kankei ga hie-kitte-iru' (relationship has cooled) or 'kowarete-iru' (broken).

In biology, it's a natural process, but it's generally considered 'bad' because it produces toxins and smells. In social contexts, it is always negative.

News will use '汚職' (Oshoku) when a specific crime like bribery is committed. They use '腐敗' (Fuhai) to describe the general state of a government being dishonest.

The most common way is '腐敗防止' (fuhai boushi) or '反腐敗' (han-fuhai).

No. The kanji was chosen long ago. While it means 'bean rot,' tofu is made by coagulating soy milk, not by rotting it. Don't use 'fuhai' to describe tofu unless it's actually expired!

No, for digital files or data, use 'hasun' (破損 - damage) or 'rekka' (劣化 - deterioration). 'Fuhai' is only for organic or social things.

Not really, but 'kusaru' is used in slang like 'kusatteru' (he's rotten/sulking) or 'fujoshi' (腐女子 - 'rotten girl,' a term for female fans of boy-love manga).

Yes, '腐敗の臭い' (fuhai no nioi). It can be used literally for rot or metaphorically for a suspicious situation.

Yes, if a plant dies and starts to rot, you can use 'fuhai.' However, 'kareru' (wither) is more common for the initial dying phase.

It is generally considered N2, but it appears frequently in N1 reading passages and the CEFR B2/C1 range.

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