Meaning
糟蹋 means to waste, ruin, or spoil something valuable, often through carelessness or deliberate mistreatment. It carries a negative connotation of causing damage or degradation to resources, opportunities, people, or things. The word implies that something good has been made worse or destroyed.
Usage
This word is commonly used in informal and formal contexts to express disapproval or regret about wasting resources, ruining opportunities, or mistreating people. It often appears with objects like food, money, talent, or people. Native speakers use it to criticize wasteful behavior or to express concern about something valuable being damaged or misused.
Examples
- 01这么好的食物被你糟蹋了，真可惜。, .Such good food has been wasted by you, what a shame.
- 02别糟蹋自己的才华，好好利用机会。, .Don't waste your talent; make good use of your opportunities.
Characters
Common collocations
- 糟蹋粮食to waste food
- 糟蹋钱to waste money
- 糟蹋人才to waste talent
- 糟蹋东西to ruin things
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 糟 (bad/rotten) with 蹋 (to trample), literally suggesting 'to trample into a bad state' or 'to make something rotten by stepping on it.' This vivid imagery extends metaphorically to any form of waste or mistreatment.