fu6 laan6腐爛腐烂
Jyutpingfu6 laan6
Yalefuh laahn
Definition
To rot, decay, or decompose.
neutralfoodhealth
How it's used
While this word is technically accurate for biological decay, it sounds quite formal or clinical in everyday speech. Most Hong Kongers prefer using the simpler term 爛 or the descriptive 變壞 when talking about food that has gone bad in the fridge. Using 腐爛 often implies a more advanced or severe state of decomposition, such as a dead animal or a large pile of waste.
Examples
The fruit has been left there too long and has already started to rot.
Related words
Common phrases
rotting and emitting a foul odor
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor damage to objects like a torn shirt or a broken toy, as those should only be described as 爛. It is strictly reserved for organic matter undergoing chemical breakdown.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
