朽 xiǔ decayed
decayed; rotten
How to remember 朽: 木 tree + 丂 choke = decayed. When the gardener saws into the old tree, he starts to choke on the dust, because the whole trunk is decayed.
Component breakdown
朽 = 木 tree + 丂 choke
- 木 tree
- 丂 choke
When the gardener saws into the old tree, he starts to choke on the dust, because the whole trunk is decayed.
How it is used
- Rotten, decayed - 腐朽 (fǔxiǔ) decayed/decadent, 朽木 (xiǔmù) rotten wood (a hopeless case).
- Negated it flips: 不朽 (bùxiǔ) means immortal/undying, as of an immortal work or reputation.