Definition
糟 (zāo) is an adjective meaning 'terrible, messed up, ruined' — it describes a situation, result, or mood that has gone badly wrong. It is stronger and more specific to 'spoiled outcome' than 破 (pò, worn out/damaged) or 烂 (làn, rotten/overcooked). 糟糕 (zāo gāo) is a common two-syllable synonym used as an exclamation or adjective.
adjective
terriblein a bad statemessed upruined
Easily confused
- 早zǎosound-alikeearly
- 造zàosound-aliketo build; to construct; to manufacture
- 凿záosound-aliketo chisel, to bore, to dig
- 灶zàosound-alikekitchen stove; cooking range
- 枣zǎosound-alikejujube (Chinese date)
Examples
- 糟！Jīntiān de kǎoshì zāo tòu le!Today's exam was terrible!
- 糟。Tā bǎ wǒ de jìhuà quán gǎo zāo le.He completely messed up my plan.
- ，糟。Xīnqíng bù hǎo, gǎnjué hěn zāo.I'm in a bad mood and feel terrible.
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