Meanings of 馊
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About 馊
Podcast: 馊
Podcast: 馊
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AI Study Notes for 馊
腐 (fǔ) vs 馊 (sōu): Use 腐 for something that has rotted or decomposed, while 馊 specifically refers to food that has spoiled but may not be decomposed.
Imagine a pot of food that has been left out too long, causing it to turn a nasty shade of brown. The character 馊 resembles a bowl (the top part) with something unpleasant inside. Remember 'sōu' sounds like 'sour,' which perfectly captures the essence of rotten food.
Learners often confuse 馊 with other characters related to food, such as 新 (xīn) for fresh. It’s important to use 馊 in negative contexts, as it describes something undesirable. Common collocations include 馊味 (sōuwèi - bad taste) and 馊食 (sōushí - spoiled food).
This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary, but understanding it can enhance your food-related vocabulary. Focus on similar characters like 新 (xīn) for fresh, to grasp contrasting meanings.
In Chinese culture, food safety is highly prioritized, and the concept of spoiled food carries significant implications for health and well-being. Terms like 馊 are often discussed in the context of traditional food preservation methods and modern health standards.
Learners sometimes confuse 馊 with 腐 (fǔ). For example, saying 馊物 (sōuwù - spoiled item) instead of 腐物 (fǔwù - rotten item) is incorrect; the former is not commonly used.
Pronunciation of 馊
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Etymology of 馊
Old 叟 food 饣; 叟 also provides the pronunciation
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 馊?
Decomposition of 馊
Identify the Components
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Write 馊
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Practice writing 馊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 馊
馊 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他知道自己嘴里有股变味啤酒的____味。
He was aware of the stink of stale beer on his breath.
Example Sentences for 馊 (1)
Cultural Notes for 馊
In Chinese culture, food safety is highly prioritized, and the concept of spoiled food carries significant implications for health and well-being. Terms like 馊 are often discussed in the context of traditional food preservation methods and modern health standards.
Word Family of 馊
Compound Meaning
What does 馊主意 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 馊
You can say: 这个苹果馊了 (Zhège píngguǒ sōule - This apple has gone bad).