陈腐 (chén fǔ) — stale, trite, old and decayed (of ideas, opinio… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Describes ideas, opinions, or ways of thinking as outdated, stale, and lacking originality — typically used to critique views that no longer fit modern times. Stronger and more literary than simply saying something is 'old'.

adjective

staletriteold and decayed (of ideas, opinions, or things)

Examples

陈腐。
Zhè xiē chén fǔ de guān niàn zǎo gāi bèi táo tài le.
These stale ideas should have been eliminated long ago.
陈腐，。
Tā de sī xiǎng fēi cháng chén fǔ, gēn bú shàng shí dài.
His thinking is very trite and can't keep up with the times.
陈腐，。
Zhè ge jù běn qíng jié chén fǔ, háo wú xīn yì.
The plot of this script is old and decayed, with no originality at all.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

腐fǔrotten

陈 and 腐 both describe old or decayed qualities, so stale.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 陳; 陈 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阜阜fùmound

Sound part声符shēngfú

東

東dōng陳chén

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 陳 pairs 阜 (mound) with 東 as a sound component.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

府肉腐

Meaning part形符xíngfú

肉肉ròuflesh; body

Sound part声符shēngfú

府

府fǔ腐fǔ

Same sound today

腐 is built from 肉, meaning flesh or body, and 府, pronounced fǔ, which gives the sound.

Appears in

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