Definition
荒淫 is a strong, formal adjective describing a person who is morally corrupt and indulges excessively in sensual pleasures, especially sexual ones. It carries a harsh, judgmental tone and is typically used in historical, literary, or critical contexts — not in everyday conversation. The word is often paired with 无度 (wú dù, 'without measure') to form the common four-character phrase 荒淫无度.
v.p.
dissolutelicentious (of a person's lifestyle, especially in formal or literary contexts)
Examples
- 荒淫，。Zhè wèi huángdì huāng yín wú dù, zuìzhōng dǎozhì le guójiā de mièwáng.This emperor was dissolute without measure, ultimately leading to the downfall of the country.
- 荒淫。Xiǎoshuō zhōng miáoxiě le yí gè huāng yín shēchǐ de guìzú shēnghuó.The novel depicts a dissolute and extravagant aristocratic life.
- 荒淫。Lìshǐ shàng duì huāng yín jūnzhǔ de pīpíng wǎngwǎng fēicháng yánlì.Historical criticism of licentious monarchs is often very harsh.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.