fu1 nau2枯朽

Jyutpingfu1 nau2

Yalefū náu

動詞

Definition

Withered, decayed, or dead, describing plants that have lost all vitality.

neutralnaturedescriptions

How it's used

Focuses specifically on the state of organic matter that has completely lost its vitality and structural integrity. Unlike general terms for decay, it carries a sense of dryness and brittleness, often used for wood or plants that have withered beyond recovery. It is rarely used to describe food spoilage, which would typically involve terms like 變壞 or 爛.

Examples

le1呢syu6樹ji5已ging1經fu1枯nau2朽zo2咗，jiu3要wan2搵jan4人lai4嚟zaam2斬zau2走keoi5佢。

This tree is already rotten, we need to find someone to cut it down.

nei5你zung6仲lau4留zyu6住ni1呢di1啲fu1枯nau2朽ge3嘅faa1花lai4嚟zou6做me1咩aa4呀？

Why are you still keeping these rotten flowers?

Common phrases

fu1枯nau2朽ge3嘅syu6樹muk6木

rotten trees

fu1枯nau2朽bat1不ham1堪

completely rotten and falling apart

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe food that has gone bad, as it specifically implies a dry, woody, or plant-based decay rather than the soft, moist rot associated with perishable items.