Definition
朽 (xiǔ) is a stative verb meaning 'rotten, decayed, or decrepit'. It is used both literally for physical decay (e.g., wood rotting) and figuratively for human senescence (e.g., 老朽 'old and feeble'). In literary or formal contexts, 不朽 means 'immortal, enduring forever'. The word carries a classical, advanced register; in everyday speech, 烂 or 坏 are more common for literal rot.
s.v.
rottendecayeddecrepitsenile (of people)immortalenduring (in 不朽)
Examples
- ，。Zhè kuài mùtou yǐjīng fǔxiǔ le, bù néng yòng le.This piece of wood has already rotted and can't be used.
- ，。Tā suīrán nián shì yǐ gāo, dàn shēntǐ bìng bù lǎoxiǔ.Although he is advanced in years, his body is not decrepit.
- 。Yīngxióng de shìjī yǒng chuí bù xiǔ.The deeds of heroes will be forever immortal.
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