decay, rot, remain in seclusion

About this kanji

The kanji 「朽」 primarily means decay or rot. It can refer to the process of something deteriorating over time, such as wood or organic materials. It is commonly used in nouns rather than verbs, emphasizing a state of decline. Some notable compounds include 老朽 (ろうきゅう), which means infirmity due to old age, and 不朽 (ふきゅう), meaning everlasting, often used in a context suggesting something that does not decay. Another example is 腐朽 (ふきゅう), which literally translates to decay. A useful note is that while the kanji might seem negative, it can also imply a natural, inevitable process that can lead to renewal in nature.

Example sentences

• 古い木が朽ち始めた。

  The old tree has begun to decay.

Meanings across languages

English

decay, rot, remain in seclusion

Tiếng Việt

hư hỏng, thối rữa, ở ẩn

日本語

朽ちる, 腐る, 隠遁

한국어

부패하다, 썩다, 은둔하다

中文

腐烂, 腐朽, 隐居

id

pembusukan

th

การเน่าเปื่อย

es

decadencia

fr

décomposition

de

Verfall

pt

decomposição

Common compounds

• 老朽ろうきゅうinfirmity (due to old age), decrepitude, senility
• 不朽ふきゅうeverlasting, immortal, eternal
• 腐朽ふきゅうdecay, deterioration, rot
• 朽廃きゅうはいdecay, dilapidation
• 朽壊きゅうかいrotting and crumbling
• 若朽じゃっきゅうbeing young yet unambitious, being young but lacking spirit
• 朽ちるくちるto rot, to decay, to die in obscurity
• 朽ち葉くちばdecayed leaves, russet, tawny

Words using this kanji