How To Say Spoiled In Chinese

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Post on Apr 08, 2025

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How to Say "Spoiled" in Chinese: A Comprehensive Guide

The English word "spoiled" carries multiple meanings, leading to a nuanced approach when translating it into Chinese. It can refer to food gone bad, a child excessively indulged, or something damaged or ruined. Therefore, there's no single perfect translation; the best choice depends heavily on context. This article delves into the various ways to express different shades of "spoiled" in Mandarin Chinese, offering examples and cultural insights to help you choose the most accurate and natural-sounding phrase.

1. Spoiled Food: 坏 (huài)

The most straightforward translation for "spoiled" when referring to food is 坏 (huài), meaning "bad" or "spoiled." This is a versatile character applicable to a wide range of spoiled edibles.

• Example: 这牛奶坏了。(Zhè niúnǎi huài le.) – This milk has gone bad.
• Example: 这水果已经坏了。(Zhè shuǐguǒ yǐjīng huài le.) – This fruit has already spoiled.
• Example: 饭菜坏了，不能吃了。(Fàn cài huài le, bù néng chī le.) – The food is spoiled; it can't be eaten.

While simple and widely understood, 馊 (sōu) is a more specific term used for food that has gone sour or fermented, often referring to rice or milk.

• Example: 这米饭馊了。(Zhè mǐfàn sōu le.) – This rice has gone sour.

2. Spoiled Child: 娇气 (jiāo qì), 宠坏 (chǒng huài), 被宠坏 (bèi chǒng huài)

Describing a spoiled child requires more nuanced vocabulary. Several terms capture different aspects of being spoiled:

• 娇气 (jiāo qì): This term describes a child who is delicate, overly sensitive, and prone to tantrums. It focuses on the child's temperament and behavior rather than the parenting style.

• Example: 这个孩子太娇气了。(Zhège háizi tài jiāo qì le.) – This child is too spoiled/delicate.

• 宠坏 (chǒng huài): This phrase literally translates to "spoil by pampering." It emphasizes the role of excessive parental indulgence in creating the child's spoiled behavior.

• Example: 他被父母宠坏了。(Tā bèi fùmǔ chǒng huài le.) – He was spoiled by his parents.

• 被宠坏 (bèi chǒng huài): This is a passive voice construction, emphasizing that the child's spoiled nature is a result of being spoiled, rather than an inherent trait. It is often used interchangeably with 宠坏 (chǒng huài).

3. Spoiled (Ruined, Damaged): 毁坏 (huǐ huài), 破坏 (pò huài), 损坏 (sǔn huài)

When "spoiled" refers to something damaged or ruined, several options are available depending on the severity and nature of the damage:

• 毁坏 (huǐ huài): This term signifies significant destruction or damage, often implying irretrievable loss.

• Example: 这场大火毁坏了许多房屋。(Zhè chǎng dàhuǒ huǐ huài le xǔduō fángwū.) – The big fire destroyed many houses.

• 破坏 (pò huài): This indicates damage or destruction, often intentional or due to neglect. It implies a more active process of ruining something.

• Example: 他们破坏了这件艺术品。(Tāmen pòhuài le zhè jiàn yìshùpǐn.) – They damaged this artwork.

• 损坏 (sǔn huài): This term signifies damage or impairment, often implying something is still usable but less effective or aesthetically pleasing than before.

• Example: 我的手机屏幕损坏了。(Wǒ de shǒujī píngmù sǔn huài le.) – My phone screen is damaged.

4. Spoiled (in the sense of losing freshness): 走味儿 (zǒu wèir)

This idiom refers to food or drink that has lost its original flavor or freshness. While not a direct translation of "spoiled," it accurately captures the essence of something losing its quality.

• Example: 这茶叶放久了，有点走味儿了。(Zhè chá yè fàng jiǔ le, yǒudiǎn zǒu wèir le.) – This tea has been left too long; it's a bit stale/off-flavor.

5. Choosing the Right Word: Context is Key

The choice of which word to use ultimately depends heavily on context. Consider the following factors:

• The nature of what is spoiled: Is it food, a child, an object, a plan, etc.?
• The degree of spoilage: Is it slightly damaged, completely ruined, or just past its prime?
• The cause of the spoilage: Was it due to natural processes, negligence, or intentional actions?

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the most appropriate and nuanced word to accurately convey the meaning of "spoiled" in Chinese.

6. Cultural Nuances:

Understanding the cultural context surrounding the concept of "spoiled" in Chinese culture is crucial. For instance, the concept of a "spoiled child" carries significant social weight. Overly indulgent parenting is often viewed negatively, and children perceived as spoiled may face social stigma. This differs from some Western cultures where a certain degree of indulgence is more accepted.

7. Examples in Sentences:

To further solidify your understanding, let's examine several sentences demonstrating the usage of different terms for "spoiled" in context:

• Sentence 1: 冰箱里的蛋糕坏了，我们扔掉吧。(Bīngxiāng lǐ de dàngāo huài le, wǒmen rēng diào ba.) – The cake in the refrigerator is spoiled; let's throw it away. (Food spoiled - 坏)

• Sentence 2: 他从小被父母宠坏，一点儿责任感都没有。(Tā cóng xiǎo bèi fùmǔ chǒng huài, yīdiǎnr zérèn gǎn dōu méiyǒu.) – He was spoiled by his parents since childhood and has no sense of responsibility. (Spoiled child - 被宠坏)

• Sentence 3: 这场暴风雨严重破坏了农作物。(Zhè chǎng bàofēngyǔ yánzhòng pòhuài le nóngzuòwù.) – This storm severely damaged the crops. (Spoiled - destroyed - 破坏)

• Sentence 4: 这件古董已经损坏，无法修复。(Zhè jiàn gǔdǒng yǐjīng sǔnhuài, wúfǎ xiūfù.) – This antique is damaged and cannot be repaired. (Spoiled - damaged - 损坏)

• Sentence 5: 这瓶牛奶馊了，闻起来很酸。(Zhè píng niúnǎi sōu le, wén qǐlái hěn suān.) – This bottle of milk has gone sour; it smells very acidic. (Spoiled - sour - 馊)

• Sentence 6: 这个孩子太娇气了，一点苦都吃不了。(Zhège háizi tài jiāo qì le, yīdiǎn kǔ dōu chī bù liǎo.) – This child is too delicate; he can't endure any hardship. (Spoiled child - 娇气)

8. Conclusion:

Mastering the art of translating "spoiled" in Chinese requires careful attention to context. There is no single perfect translation, but by understanding the subtle differences between words like 坏 (huài), 宠坏 (chǒng huài), 娇气 (jiāo qì), 毁坏 (huǐ huài), 破坏 (pò huài), and 损坏 (sǔn huài), you can communicate your intended meaning with precision and accuracy. Remember to consider the nuance of the situation and choose the word that best reflects the specific context. Practice using these words in different sentences to further enhance your understanding and fluency.