Meaning
污秽 describes something physically dirty or morally corrupt and impure. It carries a strong negative connotation, often suggesting something disgusting, contaminated, or obscene. The word can refer to literal filth and grime, or metaphorically to immoral behavior, vulgar language, or corrupted thoughts.
Usage
This is a formal, literary term rarely used in everyday casual conversation. Native speakers typically use simpler words like 脏 (zāng) for physical dirtiness. 污秽 appears more in written Chinese, formal contexts, or when emphasizing moral impurity or extreme filthiness. It's commonly used in religious, philosophical, or literary texts to describe spiritual or moral contamination.
Examples
- 01这条小巷充满了污秽的气味。.This alley is filled with a foul smell.
- 02他认为这些污秽的思想会败坏社会风气。.He believes these impure thoughts will corrupt social morals.
Characters
Common collocations
- 污秽不堪extremely filthy, unbearably dirty
- 污秽之物filthy things, impure objects
- 污秽语言foul language, obscene words
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to dirtiness and impurity. 污 originally depicted muddy water, while 秽 (穢) contains the grass radical 艹, suggesting overgrown, tangled vegetation associated with uncleanliness and disorder.