腐敗
fuhai[ɸɯ̟ha̠i]
The English word "decaying" can be translated into Japanese as 腐敗 (fuhai).
The term 腐敗 describes the process of decay or decomposition, particularly in the context of organic matter.
Which one should you use?
While 腐敗 is a formal and technical term, the more common, everyday word used when talking about food rotting is 腐る. For expressing a state of complete ruin or decay, you might use 朽ち果てる and if you are referring to the decay or breakdown of structures or systems, the term 崩壊 is more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 腐敗 can be turned into a verb meaning "to decay" or "to rot" by adding the verb する.
How do you pronounce it?
fuhai
Did you know?
- In the world of internet fandom, the term 腐い (rotten) is used as a slang adjective for people who enjoy 'Boys Love' manga, referring to a 'rotten' or twisted preference.
- In Japanese, the verb 腐る can be used to describe someone who is sulking or in a bad mood. If a person is 腐っている, they are acting like a 'spoiled' piece of fruit.
- The word 崩壊 (houkai), mentioned for structural decay, is also the standard term used in Japanese science textbooks to describe the 'decay' or 'collapse' of an atom's structure.
Examples in context
- この果物は腐ってしまった。This fruit has rotted.
- 雨の中を歩いたから、靴がボロボロになっちゃった。I walked in the rain, so my shoes became all worn out.
- 腐敗が進む。fuhai ga susumu.The decay is progressing.
- この森は植物の腐敗が早い。kono mori wa shokubutsu no fuhai ga hayai.The decay of plants is fast in this forest.
- 腐敗した有機物が土になる。fuhai shita yuukibutsu ga tsuchi ni naru.Decayed organic matter becomes soil.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are cleaning out an old refrigerator.
- 蓮 Renこの野菜、もうダメだね。kono yasai, mou dame da ne.These vegetables are no good anymore.
- 結衣 Yui本当に。腐敗して臭いがひどいよ。hontou ni. fuhai shite nioi ga hidoi yo.Really. They are decaying and smell terrible.
- 蓮 Renすぐに捨てよう。sugu ni suteyou.Let's throw them away immediately.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった、袋を持ってくるね。wakatta, fukuro o motte kuru ne.Okay, I'll go get a bag.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 腐敗, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
