Translation and Meaning of: 腐る - kusaru

The Japanese word 腐る[くさる] is a verb that carries both concrete and symbolic meanings, often used in everyday language and idiomatic expressions. If you are learning Japanese or are curious about that go beyond literal translation, understanding the cultural and grammatical context of 腐る can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as tips for memorization based on reliable sources.

Meaning and translation of 腐る

腐る, read as "kusaru", is a verb that means "to rot", "to spoil" or "to deteriorate". It describes the process of decomposition of food, organic materials, or even objects that lose their functionality. However, its use is not limited to the literal sense. In colloquial language, 腐る can express emotional or moral weariness, such as in "気が腐る" (ki ga kusaru), which indicates discouragement or frustration.

Translating 腐る merely as "to rot" can be misleading, as the term encomes broader nuances. In informal contexts, it also appears in expressions like "腐っても鯛" (kusatte mo tai), a proverb meaning "even rotten, it's still a valuable fish," used to emphasize that something retains its value despite flaws. This type of usage reveals how the Japanese language associates physical concepts with abstract ideas.

Origin and components of the kanji 腐

The kanji 腐 is composed of the radical for "meat" (肉) and the phonetic component 府 (fu), which suggests its historical pronunciation. This combination is not random: the association with meat reinforces the idea of organic decomposition, while 府, originally linked to government warehouses, may refer to accumulation and deterioration. Sources like Kanjipedia and 漢字源 confirm this structure, highlighting how the character has evolved to represent both physical rotting and moral corruption.

Interestingly, 腐 also appears in words like 腐敗 (fuhai), which means "corruption" (political or ethical), showing how Japanese has expanded its original meaning. This parallel between material decay and human decadence is common in various languages, but in the case of Japanese, the etymology of the kanji visually and historically reinforces this connection.

Tips to memorize 腐る

An effective way to 腐る is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, imagine food left forgotten in the refrigerator for weeks: the smell and texture "rotting" (kusaru) create a mental image that's hard to forget. Another strategy is to the radical 肉 (meat), present in the kanji, which serves as a clue to its main meaning related to decomposition.

For those who use flashcards or apps like Anki, including practical sentences helps to provide context. A simple example is "この牛乳は腐っている" (kono gyūnyū wa kusatte iru) – "This milk has gone bad". Repeating this kind of construction out loud strengthens memorization, especially because the verb is conjugated (腐っている) to indicate the current state. Suki Nihongo, one of the best online Japanese dictionaries, offers such examples for study.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• くさる (kusaru) - Rot, decay (usually refers to food or organic substances).
• 腐敗する (fuhai suru) - Decay, decompose (emphasizes the process of deterioration, often associated with bad odors).
• 腐朽する (fukyuu suru) - Decompose, rot (often used in contexts of wood or organic materials, denoting a natural process of degradation).
• 腐食する (fushoku suru) - Corrode, deteriorate (applies to metals and materials, emphasizing degradation caused by chemical reactions).
• 腐臭を放つ (fushuu o hanatsu) - Emit a foul smell of decomposition (specifically refers to the characteristic odor of something that is rotting).