腐败

腐败 refers to the act of corruption, typically involving abuse of power for personal gain. It is often used in political, governmental, or organizational contexts to describe dishonest or unethical behavior.

The character 腐 (fǔ) originally meant decay or rot, while 败 (bài) means defeat or failure. Together, they metaphorically represent the decay of moral or institutional integrity, leading to corruption.

腐败 is a widely discussed topic in Chinese society and politics. It is frequently mentioned in news, literature, and official discourse as a negative phenomenon that undermines public trust and social stability. Related expressions include 反腐败 (anti-corruption) and 腐败现象 (corruption phenomenon).