腐朽 fǔxiǔ rotten
rotten; decayed; decadent; degenerate
How to remember 腐朽: 腐 to spoil + 朽 decayed = rotten.
Characters
How it is used
- Rotten / decayed - literal wood, and figuratively decadent and backward - 腐朽的木头 (fǔxiǔ de mùtou) rotted wood; 腐朽的制度 (fǔxiǔ de zhìdù) a decadent system.
- The figurative sense (morally/politically degenerate, outdated) is strong and pejorative.
- Contrast 腐败 (fǔbài), which leans specifically to corruption; 腐朽 is broader decay/decadence.