Definition
不肖 (bú xiào) is a literary adjective meaning 'degenerate, unworthy', used almost exclusively to describe someone who fails to live up to the moral standards of their ancestors or family (e.g. 不肖子孙 'unworthy descendant'). Unlike 堕落 (duò luò, 'to degenerate' as a verb), which describes a general moral decline, 不肖 is tied to family lineage and is always an adjective, not a verb.
adjective
(literary) degenerateunworthy (especially of one's ancestors)
Easily confused
- 不服bù fúlook-aliketo refuse to accept; to be unconvinced by; to not give in (to an outcome, rule, or authority)
Examples
- 不肖，。Tā bèi chēng wéi bú xiào zǐsūn, ràng zhěnggè jiāzú méngxiū.He is called an unworthy descendant, bringing shame to the whole family.
- 不肖。Zhè zhǒng bú xiào de xíngwéi shízài lìng rén bùchǐ.This kind of degenerate behavior is truly despicable.
- 不肖，。Zuòwéi bú xiào zhī zǐ, tā gūfù le fùqīn de qīwàng.As an unworthy son, he let down his father's expectations.
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