fu6 baai6腐敗腐败

Jyutpingfu6 baai6

Yalefuh baaih

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

Corrupt, decadent, or rotten.

corrupt; prioritizing self-interest over institutional duty and mission
rotten; decayed; spoiled

neutralworkother

How it's used

While often used in political or organizational contexts, this term carries a strong moral weight, implying a deep rot that goes beyond simple mistakes. It suggests a systemic failure where personal greed has completely replaced the original purpose of an institution. Unlike some softer terms for mismanagement, this implies a lack of integrity that is difficult to reverse.

Examples

ni1呢go3個bou6部mun4門hou2好fu6腐baai6敗，seng4成jat6日dou1都sau1收sau6受lei6利jik1益。

This department is very corrupt, they are always taking bribes.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得le1呢gaan1間gung1公si1司ge3嘅gun2管lei5理hai6係mai6咪hou2好fu6腐baai6敗aa4呀？

Do you think the management of this company is very corrupt?

Common phrases

zing3政zi6治fu6腐baai6敗

political corruption

fu6腐baai6敗fung1風hei3氣

corrupt atmosphere

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse this with 腐爛, which refers to physical decay or rotting food. Ensure you only use 腐敗 for abstract concepts like morality, politics, or corporate culture.