Meaning
腐化 describes the process of moral or physical decay and corruption. It commonly refers to officials or institutions becoming morally corrupt through abuse of power, bribery, or indulgence in excessive luxury. It can also describe physical decomposition or the deterioration of values and social norms.
Usage
This word carries strong negative connotations and is frequently used in political contexts, especially in anti-corruption campaigns. It describes both the process of becoming corrupt (腐化了) and the state of being corrupt. Common in formal writing, news reports, and official discourse rather than casual conversation.
Examples
- 01他因生活腐化、贪污受贿被开除党籍。, .He was expelled from the Party due to his corrupt lifestyle and accepting bribes.
- 02权力如果缺乏监督，就容易导致腐化。, .If power lacks oversight, it easily leads to corruption.
Characters
Common collocations
- 腐化堕落corrupt and degenerate
- 生活腐化corrupt/decadent lifestyle
- 思想腐化corrupted ideology/thinking
- 作风腐化corrupt work style
Antonyms
Origin
The character 腐 originally meant rotting meat (note the 肉/月 radical), while 化 means transformation. Together they literally mean 'to transform into something rotten,' extended metaphorically to moral corruption.