Definition
坏 (huài) is the everyday word for 'bad' (people, things) and 'broken/out of order' (devices). It contrasts with 不良 (bù liáng, a more formal word for 'bad'), 破 (pò, which indicates physical tearing/damage), and 烂 (làn, which specifically means mushy or rotten for food). After verbs/adjectives, 坏 means 'extremely' (累坏了 = exhausted).
adjective
bad (of people or things)brokenspoiledout of order(complement after verbs/adjectives) extremelyto the utmost
Easily confused
- 环huánlook-alike(noun) ring, hoop, loop, link (of a chain)
- 塌tālook-aliketo collapse (of structures, etc.)
- 怀huáilook-alike(noun) bosom, chest
- 场chǎnglook-alike(classifier) used for performances, sports matches, and other public events
- 还háilook-alikestill, yet (indicating continuation or that something hasn't happened)
Examples
- 坏，。Zhège píngguǒ huài le, bù néng chī le.This apple has gone bad; you can't eat it.
- 坏，。Wǒ de shǒujī huài le, yào mǎi yí gè xīn de.My phone is broken; I need to buy a new one.
- ，坏。Jīntiān gōngzuò tài duō le, wǒ lèi huài le.I had too much work today; I'm exhausted.
Grammar
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