Meaning
秽 describes something that is extremely dirty, filthy, or morally impure. It carries a strong negative connotation and is more literary than everyday speech. The character combines the grass radical with elements suggesting something hidden or disgraceful, reflecting its meaning of污秽 (filth) or obscenity.
Usage
This is a formal, literary character rarely used alone in modern spoken Chinese. It typically appears in compound words like 污秽 (filthy), 秽语 (obscene language), or 秽物 (filthy things). In everyday conversation, speakers prefer simpler words like 脏 (dirty) or 肮脏 (filthy).
Examples
- 01这本书因为内容淫秽被禁止出版。.This book was banned from publication due to its obscene content.
- 02房间里堆满了污秽的垃圾,散发着恶臭。, .The room was piled with filthy garbage, emitting a foul smell.
Common collocations
- 污秽不堪extremely filthy
- 秽语obscene language, foul words
- 秽物filthy things, obscene materials
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 穢 contains the grass radical 艹, suggesting overgrown weeds or unkempt vegetation, combined with elements meaning 'to conceal' or 'disgraceful,' originally referring to wild, untended places that became associated with filth and impurity.